Yesterday from 2:00 - 4:30 EDT, the (very) extended Daniels family had a virtual reunion in lieu of their normal gathering in New London, CT. As many participants are members of a Y-DNA project (including me, as administrator of my male cousin's YDNA kit), this is a group who shares a distant common Irish male ancestor who is as-yet unknown to us.
There were 50 participants from all over the country; and the session was recorded for posterity. We spent about half an hour introducing ourselves, then the manager of our Y-DNA group presented a slide show on both major documented lines of the family: New London, CT and Chester Co., PA.
Afterward was a break, then a Q&A and "getting to know you" session where we chatted and shared research tips and experiences. There were only about a dozen of us left online by the end as others dropped off to attend to real life obligations, but a good time was had by all.
According to the host, attendance was well over double the number who usually attend in person. I came away with a couple of new research buddies and a renewed appreciation for technology, including the advances in DNA genealogy and our blossoming ability to bring people together over great distances.
So, if your family has canceled a family reunion because of the Covid-19 pandemic, consider a virtual version!