THE FAMILY JORDAN FOUNDING HISTORY
by Ralph L. Jordan
FAMILY LINEAGE: This Jordan Family traces its line to one progenitor, The Reverend Robert Jordan, an Anglican Minister of the Church of England, who arrived in Maine around the year 1639 and later settled at Richmond Island, Cape Elizabeth, Maine.. The Reverend and his spouse (Sarah Winter) had six sons. Their biographies are contained in "The Jordan Memorial" , compiled by Tristram Frost Jordan, published by the Picton Press of Camden, Maine.
FOUNDING INFORMATION: The desire to initiate a national organization of descendants was conceived at a Hiram Jordan Family Reunion in Oxford, Maine, August 8, 1987. Considerable research and subsequent action by proponents resulted in Jordans from 25 states meeting in Portland, Maine on July 28, 1989. At this meeting, those attending formed our not-for-profit organization with primary objectives to research, preserve, promote, and foster our family history and genealogy, and initiate educational programs to help trace and compile lineage data. The organization is incorporated and registered in the State of Maine. Little did those present realize the effort would far surpass the imagination and expectations of the founders. Today, The Family Jordan has become one of the more active family genealogy groups in the United States. In 1998 members held their 4th National Meeting with 300 plus attendees.
ACTIVITIES: The Family Jordan has been involved in many endeavors. Some have resulted in a cooperative program initiated with the Thomas Memorial Library of Cape Elizabeth, Maine for the storage and preservation of historic and genealogical data and artifacts; a cemetery plot at Cape Elizabeth where Major Dominicus Jordan is buried was restored; reprints of The Jordan Memorial (Tristram Frost Jordan), and Jordan Family Descendants (Charles M. Jordan) were provided to members; and work is now underway on a new volume(s) updating genealogy to include the current generation of Jordans. This new endeavor is estimated to involve over 50,000 names. In 1998, twelve members of The Family Jordan journeyed to England to research family roots, secure copies of official documents, and to develop new friendships with English cousins. Two of our English cousins attended the 1998 National Meeting in Portland, Maine. In 1999 the Board approved a Scholarship Awards Program for family descendants. A strong regional structure has been developed to support and administer member activity throughout the fifty contiguous states. Seven regions, each headed by a director, maintain contact with members and report annually to the National Board. All Regional Directors hold a seat on the National Board. Members of the organization meet for a National Reunion every three years at a date, time and place decided by the membership.
COMMUNICATION: Communication is carried out via a National Newsletter, "The Jordan", published twice annually, district newsletters, e-mail activity, and our web site
Historical Data Contacts:
Descendants of The Reverend Robert & Sarah (Winter) Jordan