North Syracuse, New York: August 13-15, 2004

Remembering Our Roots: Honoring our Founder

Reunion Hosts

Royce Huntley’s grave site — Photograph of Royce Huntley, the founder of HNA, at his grave site in Phoenix, New York.

Here is an excerpt from his own account of how HNA began:

“In 1945 I started a small publication...printed for the Huntley Family. It was called ‘We, Who are Huntleys’...in the very first issue [I wrote] ‘I propose that a national reunion of the Huntley family be held in Old Lyme, Connecticut, for two or three days in 1947’...we did just that.”

Richard lays a wreath at his Dad’s grave. — Royce’s son, Richard, lays a wreath at his Dad’s grave site

Rev. Herbert Hartman speaks about Royce’s legacy

Several men stand by a grave — Virgil Huntley recalls fond memories and years of conducting research with Royce. He and Royce drove through many countrysides; when a cemetery came into view, Royce would say, “There’s a likely stand of marble. Do you want to stop?” They always did.

In the foreground is the grave site of Daniel Hawks Huntley, Royce’s Dad. Daniel drove a team of horses pulling canal boats on the Oswego Canal, which connected to the Erie Canal at Syracuse. The background of this page is from a photo of a statue in tribute to those who drove these teams and helped build our country by helping people travel to settle the Western territories and states.

Richard, Robert, and Carroll honor and remember their Dad as Royce honored his Dad in his Tribute written for the tenth reunion, 1956, Hyde Park, NY:

“Humble Dad...I guess what I remember best was how you enjoyed just visitin’ and relating your experiences....It was your love of people that was one of the finest reasons I had for starting the Huntley National Association in 1947. How you would have loved to meet these people; wonderful people, just like you, Dad...”

Group photo — “We, Who are Huntleys” and HNA members continue to honor and perpetuate Royce’s legacy.