the patriarch of the golden family in america was michael golden.  he was born in 1780 in the parish of kilfyan near killala bay, county mayo, ireland.  michael married mary walsh and they had eight children, john, mary, michael, martin, anthony, patrick, catherine, and dennis.

in 1845, shortly after michael's wife passed away, he and his eight children emigrated to the united states and worked in the coal mines of pennsylvania.  after martin and anthony were killed in the mines, the goldens moved west to polkton township, ottawa county, michigan and settled near dennison.

michael would be pleased that so many of his descendants will be getting together near dennison, 157 years after his arrival in america.  the reunion will be held in coopersville, just five miles east of dennison.