Cousins Reunited at Veterans' Day Picnic

Cousins Reunited:

Los Floridanos picnic at Little Manatee River State Park 

    WIMAUMA -- A small but devoted band of cousins gathered together for food and family connecting on Veteran's Day 2013 at Little Manatee River State Park, with thanks to the organizing efforts of Tom Santa Cruz for reserving the screened shelter complete with electricity for plugging in and comparing family trees.

    Partners, spouses and children added to the gathering, although a bigger turnout would have added to the event. 

    Sanchez (descendant) cousins include, standing, Bo Haven, Rick Sheffield, Ed Whitehouse; seated, Dee Graham, Tom Santa Cruz. Not pictured, Nickie Rucker.

Connecting the News

Photo at Tomolato Cemetery of FX Sanchez descendants includes cousins connected to Manatee County  Asaph Graham (face slightly hidden behind Ann Browning) on back row, then next, Travis Sheffield and Rick Sheffield. Kneeling in front are Dee Graham, holding grandson, Anthony Quandt Judd. (Photo by Alena Scandura.)

Earl Sanchez of Plant City is one person to the right from Rick Sanchez. Where is Tom Santa Cruz, because  you were there? More photos to come, but if the rest of you send in IDs we can add them to the photo. Please excuse any lapses of visual-naming memories.

Manatee folks mentioned in Bradenton Herald blog 

      After our trip to Saint Augustine for the memorial honoring Francisco X Sanchez's new status with the Sons of the American Revolution, Bradenton Herald columnist Vinn Mannix ran this photo and a feature in his blog about these attending descendants with Manatee County connections.

      Even though I'm in the photo, my name isn't mentioned since I'm now working as a reporter for the newspaper. Thanks to Vinn, who also wrote about my dad a few times and does a great job keeping up with local history.

bradenton-folks-share-lineage-of-noble

from Rev. Dee Graham

8th great granddaughter of FX Sanchez