October 8–11, 2026 | 93rd Annual Reunion | New Haven, Connecticut
The Society of the Hawley Family gathered in New Haven, Connecticut, October 8–11, 2026, for its 93rd Annual Reunion. Approximately 50 attendees traveled from across the United States and the United Kingdom for four days of history, genealogy, sightseeing, and fellowship, celebrating their shared Hawley heritage.
The reunion began Thursday evening with a casual welcome gathering featuring New Haven-style pizza and an opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and welcome new ones.
Friday’s activities took attendees to Hartford for a guided tour of the Connecticut State Capitol and a visit to the Museum of Connecticut History. Following lunch at Parkville Market, the group visited Cedar Hill Cemetery to visit the gravesite of Joseph Roswell Hawley, before returning to New Haven for a special visit to the Yale Peabody Museum, where they learned about the Dr. Bronson Hawley Oology Collection.
Saturday featured a guided tour of Yale University, time to explore downtown New Haven, and a visit to the New Haven Museum and Whitney Library. That evening, members gathered at Brazi’s Italian Restaurant for the reunion dinner and program. Guest speaker Mike Allen delivered an engaging presentation on the American Revolution, highlighting Connecticut’s role in the nation’s founding and the Hawley family’s connections to this important period in American history. The evening also included a lively round of Hawley Trivia, adding some friendly competition and laughter to the festivities.
On Sunday, Society President Serena Williams opened the 103rd Annual Meeting, attended by 36 voting members. In addition to Society business and committee reports, members enjoyed presentations highlighting different approaches to understanding and researching Hawley family history.
Hawley Society British Archivist Sue Honoré and Jeff Haig presented “The First Hawleys,” exploring the origins of the Hawley surname in England. Their presentation examined how the surname arose in different localities and what historical and geographical evidence may reveal about the earliest Hawley families.
Pam Hawley Marlin presented “Exploring Our Paternal Roots,” highlighting the Society’s ongoing Y-DNA research and expanding Big Y testing initiative. The presentation demonstrated how genetic genealogy is helping distinguish Hawley paternal lines, identify new family branches, and uncover connections that traditional genealogical research alone has yet to resolve.
Together, the presentations illustrated how historical research and modern DNA technology complement one another in advancing our understanding of Hawley ancestry.
Vice President Ryan Hawley also shared his participation in a November 2025 ceremony honoring Nero Hawley, a formerly enslaved man who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution and gained his freedom following his military service. Held at Riverside Cemetery in Trumbull, Connecticut, the ceremony was organized by the Daughters of the American Revolution to recognize Nero’s service and legacy. Ryan spoke at the ceremony reflecting on the importance of acknowledging and preserving even the difficult chapters of family history. His participation was featured in a Connecticut Public news article.
Special appreciation goes to Vice President Ryan Hawley, and his brother, John Hawley, who served as reunion co-coordinators. Their planning, dedication, and attention to detail helped bring together a memorable four days of fellowship, discovery, and celebration. Thanks also to the many volunteers, presenters, and members who contributed to the reunion’s success.
As the Society looks ahead, plans are already underway for the 94th Annual Reunion, October 2027, in historic St. Augustine, Florida. We look forward to continuing the tradition of bringing Hawley descendants together to celebrate their history and strengthen family connections.
Suivez Moi!