On Saturday evening, 9 Apr 1994, Henry H. Mendenhall was visiting his dad, Ralph I. Mendenhall, in Sea Isle City, NJ. The talk turned to the prospect of starting a Mendenhall family association. A telephone call was placed to Walter D. Mendenhall, another of Ralph's sons, to bring him into the conversation. Discussion ensued about the positive responses to the letters that had been sent out earlier to some prospects. (A more detailed report on these pre-MFA activities is contained in an article "How the Organization was Conceived" by Walter D. Mendenhall, Mendenhall Matters, Vol.1, No.1). One specific response had drawn the most interest, because in it, Dean Leonard had offered to edit a newsletter. The three Mendenhalls asked themselves, and each other, has there really been enough interest expressed in starting an association? Do they really want to personally become that involved? Answering both questions "Yes," they said, "Let's do it!" Dean Leonard was notified of the decision and he issued the first newsletter. Included in the newsletter was a ballot for the first slate of officers. They were subsequently elected with Ralph I. Mendenhall being the President.
The next issue of the newsletter was under the banner, Mendenhall Matters, a title which was suggested by Henry Mendenhall. By Jan 1995 a set of bylaws had been drawn up and they were submitted to the membership for approval. The membership stood at 102 including members in Canada and England.
In Jul 1995, a website for the Mendenhall Family Association was announced and was established by Henry Mendenhall. It and an associated Internet bulletin board for MFA became an important communication tool for the Association. In addition, Mendenhall family data in the format of GEDCOMs was solicited and these began to be posted on the website. By 2002, the data in the various GEDCOMs was merged into a single file with a significant reduction in duplication. The first Membership Directory was issued and it has been revised each year since then.
The first MFA sponsored reunion was held in 1996 in Concordville, PA, site of the settlement of the Mendenhall immigrants. This reunion was attended by 85 people and was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended. Additional reunions have been held every three years since then. Over the years, MFA has also cooperated with many local Mendenhall family groups in their reunions.
In Jan 1997, the slate of officers for the second two-year term of office was elected with Ann Moss winning the top position. She faithfully carried out the duties of president and was elected to a second term of office. Under her leadership the second MFA reunion was planned and was held in 1999 in High Point, NC. The third reunion was held at Salt Lake City, UT in 2002.
Mendenhall Matters has been well received by the membership and was awarded Honorable Mention in the 1998 National Genealogical Society Newsletter Competition having received 294 points out of a possible 300. The newsletter was complimented for its good typography and format.
Membership in the MFA has grown over the years and now stands at about 360 members including people in Australia, Canada and England.