Bordelon Family Genealogy & History

Discover the Global Legacy of the Bordelon Surname

The Bordelon surname is believed to have originated in France during the early 16th century, marking its emergence amid a period of significant social and political change. This surname is rooted in a historical context that connects contemporary descendants with their ancestral lineage. As such, the Bordelon name holds a deep historical resonance, offering a glimpse into the past for those interested in family history and genealogy.

Over the centuries, the Bordelon surname evolved and spread geographically, particularly as families sought new opportunities. Initially concentrated in specific regions of France, the Bordelon family began to establish themselves more prominently during the 17th century. By the 18th century, many Bordelon families had migrated to the United States, intertwining their history with broader immigration patterns of the time. This migration marked the expansion of the Bordelon family tree, creating new branches that would flourish in America.

YourRoots data complements this narrative by confirming the Bordelon surname's initial presence in France and tracing its expansion into the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. The YourRoots dataset offers valuable genealogy records that highlight the diverse paths taken by the Bordelon family as they established roots in new environments. This data enriches the understanding of how the Bordelon genealogy has adapted and thrived over time.

Today, Bordelon genealogy records continue to showcase the family's global distribution, with YourRoots offering insights that connect descendants across continents. This enduring legacy provides a rich source of information for anyone interested in tracing the Bordelon family tree, revealing a lineage that has both historical depth and contemporary relevance.

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Tracing Your Bordelon Family Lineage

Origin of the Bordelon Family: Where does the Bordelon surname come from?

The Bordelon surname is believed to have its origins in France, where it appears in historical records during the early 16th century. This initial documentation marks the beginning of the Bordelon family tree, connecting contemporary descendants with their ancestral roots in a time characterized by significant social and political change. The connection to France serves as a pivotal point in understanding the broader genealogical narrative of the Bordelon lineage.

Genealogy and Early Family History of Bordelon

During the 16th century, the Bordelon family began to establish itself in France, with several records indicating a concentration of families in specific regions. As time progressed into the 17th century, the Bordelon surname began to spread, particularly as families sought new opportunities and faced various societal shifts. The branches of the Bordelon family tree expanded, leading to the establishment of familial lines that would later migrate across the ocean.

By the 18th century, the Bordelon family had significantly diversified, particularly in the United States, where many French families settled seeking a fresh start. The growth of the Bordelon family in America can be traced back to earlier migrations from France, illustrating how the family's history intertwined with larger patterns of immigration during that era. This evolution marked the beginning of a new chapter, as American descendants of the Bordelon family established roots and continued to grow their family trees.

Tracing the Bordelon Family Tree Through the Centuries

The expansion of the Bordelon surname continued well into the 19th century, with a notable increase in presence within the United States. Families with the Bordelon name not only adapted to their new environment but also began to proliferate across various states, establishing a strong foothold in American society. This global spread of the surname exemplifies how the Bordelon family tree diversified and evolved, connecting descendants across continents and cultures.

As the Bordelon family entered the 20th century, their roots became firmly established in multiple regions of the United States, with connections to various communities that showcased their rich heritage. In the 21st century, the Bordelon surname continues to be present, reflecting a lineage that has adapted and thrived in a modern context. For those interested in tracing their own Bordelon family history, the YourRoots database offers a wealth of genealogy records to explore and connect with their ancestral roots.

Famous People with Bordelon (and Their Family Tree)

Gerald Bordelon

Gerald James Bordelon was an American convicted murderer and sex offender executed in Louisiana for the kidnapping and murder of his 12-year-old stepdaughter, Courtney LeBlanc. Born on February 19, 1962, Bordelon became the first person to be executed in Louisiana since 2002 and the state's first voluntary execution. Despite his criminal history, he was able to marry Jennifer Kocke, who was aware of his past. His execution on January 7, 2010, attracted attention, as he waived his appeals, claiming he would reoffend if released. Bordelon's case remains notable in discussions on capital punishment and criminal justice.

Gerald Bordelon grew up in Louisiana and attended schools in the Baton Rouge area. His family context includes living in a trailer on land owned by his parents in Gloster, Mississippi, at one point after marrying Jennifer Kocke.

William J. Bordelon

William James Bordelon Jr., a distinguished United States Marine, posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary valor during World War II's Battle of Tarawa. Born on December 25, 1920, in San Antonio, Texas, Bordelon served as a Staff Sergeant in the First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines. His heroic actions included single-handedly destroying enemy pillboxes and rescuing fellow Marines under heavy fire, contributing significantly to the mission's success. Bordelon's name is honored through various memorials, including the USS Bordelon destroyer and the Navy-Marine Corps Reserve Center in San Antonio, reflecting his lasting impact on military history.

USS Bordelon

USS Bordelon (DD/DDR-881) was a distinguished Gearing-class destroyer in the United States Navy, named in honor of Marine Staff Sergeant William J. Bordelon, a Medal of Honor recipient for his valor at the Battle of Tarawa. Commissioned in 1945, the vessel played crucial roles in post-World War II operations, including the Japanese occupation, the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade, and aiding the cruiser Belknap after a collision. Despite its notable service, the Bordelon was decommissioned in 1977 due to damage and age, marking the end of its naval legacy.

Guy Bordelon

Guy Pierre Bordelon Jr., known as "Lucky Pierre," was a distinguished United States Navy flying ace during the Korean War, achieving the remarkable feat of downing five enemy aircraft. Bordelon, the only U.S. Navy aviator to earn ace status in the conflict, flew a piston-engined F4U Corsair, making him the sole night ace and piston-engine ace of the war. As the leader of VC-3 Detachment D off the USS Princeton, he shot down three Lavochkin La-9s or La-11s and two Yak-18s in 1952. After the war, Bordelon instructed survival training during the Vietnam War and earned the prestigious Top Gun award, retiring as a commander after 27 years of service in the Navy.

Melinda Bordelon

Melinda Jane Bordelon was a distinguished American painter and illustrator renowned for her contributions to magazine covers, articles, and advertisements from the early 1970s to the 1990s. Her notable works include illustrations for National Lampoon, Sesame Street Magazine, and Harper's Magazine. Bordelon's artistic achievements were recognized by the Society of Illustrators, which exhibited her work multiple times. Her distinctive use of acrylic paint and ink adorned album covers like the 1974 Brownsville Station album "School Punks." In her later years, she expanded her creative pursuits to photography while residing in Austin, Texas.

Melinda Bordelon was born to Dr. Howard M. Bordelon, a urologist, and Mary Jane Peters Bordelon in Amarillo, Texas. She showed an early interest in art, winning a third prize in a newspaper coloring contest at age 12.

Bordelon Surname Meaning, Origin, and History

The surname "Bordelon" is associated with several notable individuals, including a Korean War flying ace, an American football player, and a Medal of Honor recipient, among others. The name has also been commemorated through the USS Bordelon, a ship named after William J. Bordelon.

Where to Find Genealogy Records for Bordelon

We’ve analyzed YourRoots tree and records data to uncover where genealogists are finding key sources such as census, birth certificates, marriage records, and obituaries for the Bordelon family. Explore our most popular genealogy record sources for the Bordelon surname to learn more.