Cheryl Kates (r) explains the family tree to Dolores Gordon. When members of one of America's largest families, the Martin family, have a reunion, this is no ordinary family reunion and not the usual weekend barbeque.

This year, 500 strong gathered at the Radisson Hotel for the 40th annual reunion. Twenty states were represented. One member, Lt. Commander Elicia Rogers came from Spain.

Family members ranged in age from 78 hours old to 100+ years old. Jennie Harper, 100 years old, was present. The youngest person was five weeks old.

This year the reunion was hosted by the South Carolina Chapter. The theme was "Sharing and Remembering Our Heritage, Achievement and Legacy."

Entertainment included a reception with dances by Meilein McDuffie and Alyssa Jones of the younger generation; a video of past reunions; barbeque picnic in Jenkinsville catered by Albert and Violet Martin McKie; and visits to Frankie's Fun Park, Edventure Children's Museum, and the Columbia Art Museum. A banquet was held on Saturday night.

Assistant Attorney General of S.C., Dewayne Pearson, was the main speaker with Ralph Carter, an actor in the CBS series "Good Times," responding. Shakeema Moreland sang two solos.

The reunion ended with a prayer breakfast Sunday morning. The Reverend Joseph Green Jr., Rector Emeritus of Grace Episcopal Church of Norfolk, Va., was the speaker. Willie M. Banks entertained with a praise dance. The reunion ended with hugs and kisses until next year in Detroit, Mich.

Astronaut Charles BoldGeno oa dn dT iamcteosr Ralph Carter of are some of the celebrated members of the family.

The first reunion was held in 1965 in Hampton, Va., with about 30 local family members present.

The late Justice Thomas Harper and his wife, the late Gladys Harper, a genealogist, traced the family history back to the 1790s when the slave, Tracie, was brought to an island off the coast of S.C. on a slave ship. She was then taken to Jenkinsville, S.C. Tracie had a daughter, Catie. Catie had six children, fathered by Robert Martin, John Martin's grandson. Her children were Vera, Benjamin, Moses, Ellen, Jerry, and John.

The early Martins were not sold to other plantations, instead, they were taught to read and write and manage business affairs.

In 1862, the Martin brothers founded White Hall AME Church. During reconstruction, many Martins were elected to public office. Moses Martin became a state senator. Prince Martin and Ike Martin were state legislators, and John Martin became a County Commissioner. "The Martins have come up in the tradition that education is the key to upward mobility." Descendents of Catie, numbering more than 6,000, spread throughout the world.

Fifty or more tables held the family tree, created by Cheryl Baker Kates. Names like Martin, Harper, Baten, Pearson, Herndon, Ginyard, Green, O'Neal, Rabb, Caldwell, Young, Hugey, and Hollins, were seen repeatedly on the tree.

The Martin clan gathered to share and keep in remembrance the knowledge of who they are. They gather to encourage, to inspire in generations to come the continuance of accomplishments in the grand tradition and style of the Martin Family.