Founded 1935 · 501(c)(3) Non-Profit
Blaisdell Family National Association
Connecting and preserving the heritage of all descendants of Ralph Bleasdale, who arrived at Pemaquid Point, Maine on August 14, 1635 — in America since 1635.
1935
Founded
1635
Family in America Since
38+ Libraries
Newsletter Issues
84
Avg. Pages / Issue
37+
Name Variants
501(c)(3)
Status
What Is the BFNA?
The Blaisdell Family National Association (BFNA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit genealogical and heritage organization founded in 1935. Its mission is to connect, document, and preserve the heritage of all descendants of Ralph Bleasdale — the Puritan wool trader from Hawkshead, Lancashire, England, who arrived at Pemaquid Point, Maine on August 14, 1635, aboard the ship Angel Gabriel. Learn more and join the family at blaisdell.org.
The BFNA publishes The Blaisdell Papers, a genealogy newsletter averaging 84 pages per issue, held in 38 libraries across the United States. It organizes Grand Reunions every ten years and maintains genealogical archives tracing the Blaisdell family across nearly four centuries of American history.
Our Founding Patriarch: Ralph Bleasdale (1593–1681)
Ralph Bleasdale was born on March 11, 1593, in Hawkshead, Lancashire, England. A devout Puritan and wool trader, he sailed on the Angel Gabriel from Milford Haven, Wales on June 9, 1635, as part of the Great Migration — the decade-long movement of tens of thousands of English Puritans to New England. He traveled with his wife, Elizabeth Parker, and their three-year-old son Henry.
The Angel Gabriel arrived at Pemaquid Point, Maine on August 14, 1635. The passengers came ashore safely. The following morning, August 15, 1635, the Great Colonial Hurricane — one of the most powerful storms in recorded New England history — struck the coast and destroyed the ship at anchor. Ralph and his family survived, but lost all their possessions and provisions.
Ralph eventually settled in Salisbury, Massachusetts, where he became one of 69 founding fathers of the town. He died in 1681 at the age of 88. Within four generations of his arrival, his descendants numbered 410 people. Today, his descendants number in the thousands and carry over 37 documented spelling variants of his family name.
The Blaisdell Surname: 37+ Variants
The Blaisdell surname traces to a hamlet in Lancashire, England called Bleasdale — a small settlement five miles west of Chipping and ten miles north of Preston. The earliest recorded mention appears in the Parish Church of Chipping on October 15, 1559. Over four centuries of American history, the name evolved into more than 37 documented spelling variants, including:
- Blaisdell (most common in the United States)
- Blasdell (common in Canada)
- Bleasdale (original English form)
- Blesdell / Blesdal
- Blasdel / Blasdill
- Blaisdel / Blaisdale
- Blazdell / Blazdel
- Bleasdell / Bleasdel
The BFNA welcomes all descendants regardless of which spelling variant their branch of the family uses.
The Blaisdell Papers Newsletter
The Blaisdell Papers is the BFNA's flagship publication — a genealogy newsletter that has been published continuously since the association's founding in 1935. Each issue averages 84 pages and contains genealogical research, family histories, historical articles, reunion announcements, and member contributions. The newsletter is held in 38 libraries across the United States, making it a permanent part of the American genealogical record.
Back issues are available on DVD through the BFNA Store. Current issues are included with all BFNA memberships.
Grand Reunions
The BFNA holds Grand Reunions every ten years, bringing together Blaisdell descendants from across North America. The 2025 Grand Reunion was held in York, Maine — near the original landing site of Ralph Bleasdale in 1635. The next Grand Reunion is planned for 2035, marking the 400th anniversary of the family's arrival in America. Regional reunions are also held in intervening years.
390 Years of Achievement
Notable Blaisdell Descendants
From the inventor of the Zippo lighter to Nevada's first governor, Blaisdell descendants have shaped American history.
George Grant Blaisdell
1895–1978
Inventor of the Zippo lighter (1932); founded Zippo Manufacturing Company, Bradford, PA; over 300 million lighters produced
Frederick Elijah Blaisdell
1864–1918
Inventor of the Blaisdell Pencil; founded The Blaisdell Pencil Company with factories in London, Canada, and the United States
Henry Goode Blasdel
1825–1900
Nevada's first governor; used the state's silver wealth to support the Union in the Civil War
Neal Shaw Blaisdell
1902–1975
Mayor of Honolulu 1954–1968; the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu is named in his honor
Daniel Blaisdell
1762–1833
U.S. Congressman from New Hampshire, 1809–1810
Molly Kool Blaisdell
1916–2009
First woman sea captain in North America; earned her captain's papers in 1939 at age 23
Russell Lloyd Blaisdell
1910–2007
"Schindler of the Korean War" — USAF Chaplain who saved over 1,000 orphans from Seoul in the Kiddy Car Airlift, December 20, 1950
Dr. F. William Blaisdell
1927–2023
Father of the modern trauma center; pioneered trauma surgery protocols adopted worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Blaisdell Family National Association?
The Blaisdell Family National Association (BFNA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit genealogical and heritage organization founded in 1935. It connects and preserves the heritage of all descendants of Ralph Bleasdale, a Puritan wool trader from Lancashire, England, who arrived at Pemaquid Point, Maine on August 14, 1635. The BFNA publishes The Blaisdell Papers newsletter, maintains genealogical archives, and holds Grand Reunions for Blaisdell descendants. The official website is blaisdell.org.
Who was the founder of the Blaisdell family in America?
Ralph Bleasdale (1593–1681) was the founding patriarch of all American Blaisdell descendants. Born in Hawkshead, Lancashire, England, he was a Puritan wool trader who sailed on the Angel Gabriel from Milford Haven, Wales on June 9, 1635. He arrived at Pemaquid Point, Maine on August 14, 1635. The very next morning, the Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635 destroyed his ship. He eventually settled in Salisbury, Massachusetts, where he became one of 69 founding fathers of the town. Within four generations, his descendants numbered 410 people.
What is The Blaisdell Papers?
The Blaisdell Papers is the official genealogy newsletter of the Blaisdell Family National Association (BFNA). It averages 84 pages per issue and is held in 38 libraries across the United States. The newsletter contains genealogical research, family histories, reunion announcements, and historical articles about the Blaisdell family and its descendants. It is available to BFNA members and can be purchased through the BFNA Store at blaisdell.org.
What are the variant spellings of the Blaisdell surname?
The Blaisdell surname has over 37 documented spelling variants. The most common include: Blaisdell (most common in the United States), Blasdell (common in Canada), Bleasdale (the original English form, still used in Lancashire, England), Blesdell, Blasdel, Blasdill, Blaisdel, Blaisdale, Blazdell, and Blesdal. All variants trace to the hamlet of Bleasdale in Lancashire, England, and ultimately to Ralph Bleasdale who arrived in America in 1635.
Who invented the Zippo lighter — was he a Blaisdell descendant?
Yes. George Grant Blaisdell (1895–1978) of Bradford, Pennsylvania invented the world-famous Zippo lighter in 1932 and founded the Zippo Manufacturing Company. He was a descendant of Ralph Bleasdale, the Blaisdell family patriarch who arrived in America in 1635. Since its invention, over 300 million Zippo lighters have been produced with a lifetime guarantee. George Grant Blaisdell is one of the most notable Blaisdell descendants documented by the Blaisdell Family National Association.
What happened to the Angel Gabriel ship in 1635?
The Angel Gabriel was a Bristol merchantman of approximately 240 tons that carried Ralph Bleasdale and other Puritan settlers to America in 1635. The ship departed Bristol on June 4, 1635, and arrived at Pemaquid Point, Maine on August 14, 1635. The passengers came ashore safely. However, on August 15, 1635, the Great Colonial Hurricane — one of the most powerful storms in recorded New England history — struck the coast and destroyed the Angel Gabriel at anchor in Pemaquid Harbor. The passengers survived but lost all their possessions and provisions. The wreck is commemorated at Pemaquid Point, Maine.
When and where are BFNA Grand Reunions held?
The Blaisdell Family National Association holds Grand Reunions every ten years. The 2025 Grand Reunion was held in York, Maine — near the original landing site of Ralph Bleasdale in 1635. The next Grand Reunion is planned for 2035. Regional reunions are also held in intervening years. Information about upcoming reunions is available at blaisdell.org.
How do I join the Blaisdell Family National Association?
You can join the BFNA through the Blaisdell Store at blaisdell.org/bfna-store. Membership tiers are: Basic ($12/year, digital Blaisdell Papers), Gift ($20, printed copy mailed to a recipient of your choice), and Annual ($25, printed copy mailed to your address). All memberships include The Blaisdell Papers newsletter and access to BFNA genealogy resources. The BFNA welcomes all descendants of Ralph Bleasdale, including those with any of the 37+ documented spelling variants of the family name.
Is the Blaisdell Family National Association a non-profit?
Yes. The Blaisdell Family National Association (BFNA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the United States. It was founded in 1935 and is dedicated to genealogical research, heritage preservation, and connecting descendants of Ralph Bleasdale. Donations to the BFNA Endowment Fund are tax-deductible.
What is the Blaisdell Papers newsletter?
The Blaisdell Papers is the official genealogy newsletter of the Blaisdell Family National Association, published continuously since 1935 — making it the fifth oldest continuously published family journal in the United States. Published twice a year (June and December), each issue averages 84 pages on acid-free paper with approximately 40 black-and-white photographs. It documents genealogy, family history, births, marriages, deaths, and historical articles about Blaisdell descendants. The newsletter is held in 38 genealogical libraries across the United States and is available to all BFNA members.
Where did the Blaisdell family originate?
The Blaisdell family originated in the hamlet of Bleasdale in Lancashire, England — a small settlement five miles west of Chipping and ten miles north of Preston. The earliest recorded mention of the family name appears in the Parish Church of Chipping on October 15, 1559. The family name was brought to America in 1635 by Ralph Bleasdale, a Puritan wool trader who arrived at Pemaquid Point, Maine on August 14, 1635, aboard the ship Angel Gabriel. The BFNA connects all descendants of Ralph Bleasdale, regardless of which of the 37+ spelling variants their branch uses.
What is the BFNA Endowment Fund?
The BFNA Endowment Fund is a charitable fund maintained by the Blaisdell Family National Association to support members who cannot afford an annual membership. As long as funds allow, the BFNA will send The Blaisdell Papers newsletter at no cost to those with limited resources. Donations to the Endowment Fund are tax-deductible as the BFNA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Contributions can be made through the BFNA Store at blaisdell.org/bfna-store.
How do I research my Blaisdell family genealogy?
To research Blaisdell family genealogy, the best starting point is the Blaisdell Family National Association (BFNA) at blaisdell.org. The BFNA maintains genealogical archives tracing descendants of Ralph Bleasdale from 1635 to the present. The Blaisdell Papers newsletter, held in 38 libraries across the United States, contains decades of genealogical research. BFNA members also have access to genealogical resources and can connect with the BFNA Genealogist. When searching, remember to check all 37+ spelling variants of the surname, including Blaisdell, Blasdell, Bleasdale, Blesdell, Blasdel, and others.
Are You a Blaisdell Descendant?
If your family name is Blaisdell, Blasdell, Bleasdale, or any of the 37+ variants, you may be a descendant of Ralph Bleasdale. Join the BFNA and connect with your heritage.
Join the BFNA — From $12/year