BFNA Official Genealogy Website - a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
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BFNA's Founding History
The BLAISDELL FAMILY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (BFNA) was organized on August 15, 1935, to represent the descendants of Ralf Bleasdale - who was born in Hawkshead, England, 1593, sailed on The Angel Gabriel, and was shipwrecked at Pemaquid Point, ME. on August 14, 1635. At least 37 spellings of Bleasdale have since evolved, the most relevant being Blaisdell, Blasdell, and Blasdel. Other variations include Bleasdell and Blasdale.
The Blaisdell Papers, published regularly since 1935, is the fifth oldest family publication in the U.S. It documents the genealogy, vital statistics, current and past activities of the descendants of Ralf Bleasdale. Published biannually in June and December, the Blaisdell Papers accompanies membership in the BFNA. Dues for basic membership are $25 a year, payable in advance. Gift memberships are $20 each. A DVD containing publications of the Blaisdell Papers (1935-2010) may be purchased for $15.
The BFNA has recorded genealogical and historical data on computerized files since 1935. Over 88,666 Blaisdell descendants are documented in the lineage-linked Personal Ancestry File (PAF) accessed by the BFNA Genealogist. Notes are maintained with information relating to biographical sketches, obituaries, vocations, military service (including Revolutionary War service notes), education, affiliations, census data and other sources of information. The Blaisdell Papers is a certified source for DAR/SAR memberships.
BFNA members are encouraged to review, verify, and send current family information to the BFNA Genealogist and the Vital Statics Editor to update and maintain accurate records.
Annual or biennial reunions are held regionally in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
National reunions are held every five years, alternating between regional locations and Pemaquid, Maine (where Ralf Bleasdale landed in 1635). Recent reunions have taken place in Amarillo, TX, in 1990; Portland, ME, in 1995; Greensburg & Guilford, IN, in 2000; South Portland, ME, in 2005; Mt. Vernon, IL, in 2010, York ME in 2015, and River Falls, WI 2021 (Rescheduled from 2020).
The BFNA cooperates with other historical and maritime groups interested in recovering and raising The Angel Gabriel. Periodic updates appear in the Blaisdell Papers. We are also cooperating with the Maine Historical Society to preserve Blaisdell items.
Blaisdell Family National Association Updates
PEMEQUID PLAQUE RESTORATION
SEARCH FOR THE ANGEL GABRIEL
SEARCH FOR THE ANGEL GABRIEL
Thank you for your donations!
A huge thank you to everyone who donated to this most important project. Because of your donations we've surpassed our goal of raising $2,000 for the restoration of the Pemaquid Point plaque.
The plaque will be unveiled during the 2025 BFNA National Reunion to be held in Maine. Details of that reunion will be released when the agenda has been set.
If you missed donating for this project, please consider donating to the general fund. Your help will be greatly appreciated!
SEARCH FOR THE ANGEL GABRIEL
SEARCH FOR THE ANGEL GABRIEL
SEARCH FOR THE ANGEL GABRIEL
Your efforts can help!
Hello, everyone!
As some of you know, I have been in touch with people from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for a few years about the possibility of having them come to Pemaquid Harbor and John’s Bay to continue the search for the 1635 wreck of the Angel Gabriel.
Rob Munier, Vice President for Marine Facilities and OPS, has friends in Pemaquid and visits regularly. In Spring 2019, he sent two expert staffers to assess the potential project. Standing on the roof of the fort and discussing the idea with Warren Reiss and a few others, they determined that they could indeed locate the wreck using one of their highly sophisticated pieces of remote operated equipment and could do so fairly quickly, given all the conditions.
As it has in so many other ways, COVID-19 interrupted our discussions and I have sent emails keeping Mr. Munier updated on things happening here in Maine.
As it stands, the Maine Historic Preservation Commission has granted us tentative permission to search for the wreck and is open to discussions about perhaps raising a cannon tube from it for identification purposes if it is located. This could be done using a vessel from the nearby Darling Marine Center which could access the site by water, use its crane for retrieval, and immediately place the tube in an appropriate treatment bath on deck for transport back to Darling.
What may happen after that, if anything, would be the result of in-depth discussions among people with authority over Maine’s ocean bottom and scientific experts such as Dr. Reiss. Of course, there are many “ifs” along the way, not the least of which is the possibility that local settlers pillaged the wreck in the months after the hurricane and there is nothing left to discover.
First, we have to convince Woods Hole to reactivate their interest, and this is where I need your help.
Below is Rob Munier’s mailing address to which I ask you all to send polite but pleading letters (no emails, please) asking that he and Woods Hole conduct the necessary search. It is my hope that a stack of passionately written letters would help move the process forward.
Please take a moment to send Rob a note, handwritten if you like, to let him know how important this project is to us here in Maine.
Many thanks for your help!
Sincerely,
Tom Desjardin
Historian and Author
Rob Munier
Vice President for Marine Facilities and OPS
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
86 Water St.
Falmouth, MA 02543
2025 National Reunion
SEARCH FOR THE ANGEL GABRIEL
2025 National Reunion
Many people have contacted BFNA board members wanting to know about the 2025 National Reunion.
We've begun planning for the 2025 National Reunion to be held in Maine. As we're still very early in the planning stages, no date nor location details other than that the reunion will be held in Maine are available.
We'll keep you informed as more details become available.
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