Families are, in many ways, living histories. The Jefferson County fairgrounds hosted a celebration of one such history June 27 and 28, where nearly 250 descendants of 19th century Boulder Valley homesteader Edward Ryan gathered for their decennial family reunion.
“Everyone attending can in some way trace back to Edward Ryan, who came to Montana in 1864,” said reunion coordinator Joyce Keeler. There are presently six confirmed branches of the Ryan family, descending from Ryan’s two sons and four daughters. The Carpenter, Smith, McCauley, and Paradise families joined the Ryans to celebrate their unique heritage.
