All branches of the Blanshan family in America
originated in Ulster County, New York, with one
man, Mattheus Blanshan, a courageous,
industrious Huguenot who came to this country
in 1660 from France.  Although we hope this site
won't be limited to just one branch of the
Blanshan family, the branch featured now came
west with Jacob Smedes Blanshan in 1847, first
to Wisconsin, then to Iowa, and finally to
Minnesota in the late 1800s, where we found our
permanent home in Southern Minnesota.


This site was started by the closely-knit family
of Bob and June Blanshan of Madelia,
Minnesota; their seven children; their 23
grandchildren; and their growing number of
great grand- children.  We enjoy getting together
for holidays and special occasions for a big
meal  and a jam session.  Most of us play an
instrument or three and although our daddy
sings lead instead of  bass, our mama really
does sing tenor.


If you would like to include history about your
branch of the Blanshan family on this website,
please contact the webmaster/ site owner at
beccacolebank@msn.com.  All Blanshan history
is welcome!

What's new on the site:

*June 30 :  New photo album uploaded -
'Suzanne and Jon - Europe 2010'  - 377 photos.  
See Photo Gallery Page 6.
THE BLANSHAN FAMILY in America
Send your contributions to the
webmaster at
beccacolebank@msn.com
Ralph and Fern Pearson Blanshan
Rosetta Bahr and daughter Flora Pearl
Chester and Belle Buck Blanshan