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 (Published1882 David Clapp & Son); reprinted 1982 & 1985 by the Picton Press of Camden, Maine.   The Family Jordan published its Family Jordan Book Sets, Volume I -3, in 2001 updating available Family Lineage.  The latter was Compiled by Adelbert Jean “Andy” Annonson and Edited by Roland Gene Jordan. 

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 South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, 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.  Little did those present realize the effort would far surpass the imagination and expectations of the founders. The organization incorporated and registered in the State of Maine has become one of the more active family genealogy groups in the United States. In 2010 The Family Jordan will be 21 years of age and hold its 8^th National Reunion in South Portland, Maine. 

ACTIVITIES: The Family Jordan has been involved in many programs. Some of which have resulted in cooperative endeavors with the Cape Elizabeth Historical Preservation Society, housed in the Thomas Memorial Library of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, that include storage and preservation of historic and genealogical data and artifacts.  Others include the restoration of a cemetery plot On the old Spurwink Plantation  at Cape Elizabeth where Major Dominicus Jordan is buried; reprints of The Jordan Memorial (Tristram Frost Jordan) and Jordan Family Descendants (Charles M. Jordan);  Publication of a three-volume bookset (80,000 plus entries) updating family genealogy.  In 1998, twelve members of The Family Jordan journeyed to England to research family roots, secure copies of official documents, and developed new friendships with English cousins, two of which attended the 1998 National Meeting in South Portland, Maine.  In 1999 the Board approved a Scholarship Awards Program for family descendants and in 2004 established the Reverend Robert & Sarah (Winter) Jordan Foundation to administer and manage the program.  Archaeological Digs on the Old Spurwink Plantation were undertaken in 2005, 2006, and 2008 with another scheduled for 2009.   Endeavors are now underway to locate and/or identify the resting place of our American progenitor, The Reverend Robert Jordan, believed to be near his last residence in the New Castle, NH.   A strong regional structure has been developed to support and administer member activity throughout our fifty contiguous states.  Four Regions, each headed by a Regional Director, maintain contact with members and hold a seat on the National Board.  There is also an International Director who maintains communication with members on an international level and reports activity to 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 tri-annually; district newsletters; e-grams, and our website

Historical Data Contacts: 

Family Historian

Research Director

Descendants of The Reverend Robert & Sarah (Winter) Jordan