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And so it continues...
Cousin George
a brief history
It all began when Cousin George, who was marrying into the family, sent a formal photo of himself, not including his bride-to-be. Family members of the bride-elect found this very strange. After receiving the photo of George in 1896, jokesters decided to send George's photo as a Christmas gift. Every year since, a photo of Cousin George has been past back and forth under the guise of many. And so it continues...
Rules and Guidelines - 2000 Update
Eligibility to Participate
• Must be a direct Whitney descendant.
• Is or has been married or has reached the age of 30 (marriage not a requirement after that age.).
• Has expressed interest in being added to the list when he/she becomes eligible. Eligibility Only to Receive a Copy of Cousin George (new category).
• Must be 21 years old.
Responsibilities of person receiving George
• Make sure documents and other material that should accompany George are included with the original. A list of these materials is to be enclosed with George. If items are missing, contact the person who sent George or the "keeper of the records" (presently Penny Lundstrom) to get any missing items. It is important that these documents stay with the circulating original Cousin George.
• Make a new original George and copies, allowing enough time to send the original and the copies so they are received before Christmas by everyone on the list.
• Check that the current list of recipients is accurate. Add name and address of anyone who has become eligible by age or marriage.
• Select the person who will have George the following year. Note: He should not go to someone in the same generation or in the same family (parent, child or sibling) as the person who is sending him. Check the recipient history list to make sure nobody has been "left out" for an especially long time. Newcomers on the list should be considered fairly soon after they are added to the list.
• When you have chosen the recipient, update the Recipient History list.
• Send the new original Cousin George along with the "document package" to the person you have selected to have him for the next year. Package should note "do not open until Christmas" .
• Send copies (color preferred) of the original to everyone on the recipient list. They may be photos, copier or computer generated. Mark them also "do not open before Christmas". They should also note who sent and who received Cousin George.
• Send a color copy no larger than 4"x6" to Penny, or whoever is the designated keeper of the records, to add to the permanent record.
Other Responsibilities
• Parents and Grand-parents are responsible for making the next generation aware of Cousin George and his tradition in our families. They should also make the next generation aware that, if interested in being included, they will need to request that their names be added to the list of recipients when they become eligible. We have added a new category for those 21 years old who do not meet the marriage requirement who may receive a copy of Cousin George each year but may not participate until they meet the other age or marriage requirement.
• Individuals who, when eligible, wish to have their names added to the list of possible recipients must notify Penny and/or the person who currently has George.
• Only members of the "senior generation" may make changes to the rules and guidelines.
• Must be a direct Whitney descendant.
• Is or has been married or has reached the age of 30 (marriage not a requirement after that age.).
• Has expressed interest in being added to the list when he/she becomes eligible. Eligibility Only to Receive a Copy of Cousin George (new category).
• Must be 21 years old.
Responsibilities of person receiving George
• Make sure documents and other material that should accompany George are included with the original. A list of these materials is to be enclosed with George. If items are missing, contact the person who sent George or the "keeper of the records" (presently Penny Lundstrom) to get any missing items. It is important that these documents stay with the circulating original Cousin George.
• Make a new original George and copies, allowing enough time to send the original and the copies so they are received before Christmas by everyone on the list.
• Check that the current list of recipients is accurate. Add name and address of anyone who has become eligible by age or marriage.
• Select the person who will have George the following year. Note: He should not go to someone in the same generation or in the same family (parent, child or sibling) as the person who is sending him. Check the recipient history list to make sure nobody has been "left out" for an especially long time. Newcomers on the list should be considered fairly soon after they are added to the list.
• When you have chosen the recipient, update the Recipient History list.
• Send the new original Cousin George along with the "document package" to the person you have selected to have him for the next year. Package should note "do not open until Christmas" .
• Send copies (color preferred) of the original to everyone on the recipient list. They may be photos, copier or computer generated. Mark them also "do not open before Christmas". They should also note who sent and who received Cousin George.
• Send a color copy no larger than 4"x6" to Penny, or whoever is the designated keeper of the records, to add to the permanent record.
Other Responsibilities
• Parents and Grand-parents are responsible for making the next generation aware of Cousin George and his tradition in our families. They should also make the next generation aware that, if interested in being included, they will need to request that their names be added to the list of recipients when they become eligible. We have added a new category for those 21 years old who do not meet the marriage requirement who may receive a copy of Cousin George each year but may not participate until they meet the other age or marriage requirement.
• Individuals who, when eligible, wish to have their names added to the list of possible recipients must notify Penny and/or the person who currently has George.
• Only members of the "senior generation" may make changes to the rules and guidelines.
Addresses and Images
If you were given the honor this year, use the photos included in the box shipped to you and follow the instructions.
There is an online address list that is only as current as everyone makes it. Reach out to me for the link to the addresses if you don't have it already to update your address today!
Here's a link to a digital scan of Cousin George if it will help get you started.
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