Our Mission
The Blair Society for Genealogical Research, Inc., was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1984 and was granted exempt status under Section 501[c][7] of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code in 1991. We are a member society of the Guild of One Name Studies (AONS), Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and the National Genealogical Society (NGS). The Blair Society promotes the policies of excellence and ethical standards in genealogical and historical research of these fine organizations.
The objectives of the Blair Society for Genealogical Research are:
- To operate for charitable and educational purposes.
- To collect, preserve and disseminate genealogical and historical knowledge and information concerning the Family of BLAIR in its various lines of descent and in all parts of the world where Blair descendants have settled.
- To promote principles of accuracy, thoroughness, documentation, and ethical standards in genealogical research and practices.
BSGR History
The original Blair Society for Genealogical Research was organized in 1925 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Its accomplishments included collecting and preserving the extensive correspondence of Dr. Eleanor Heistand-Moore with Blairs all over the world, and publishing a quarterly newsletter, The Blair Magazine, from 1925-31. The Society flourished for several years but fell on hard times during the Great Depression. People could not afford the $2.00 annual dues. The last known correspondence of the original Society was dated 26 July 1937, calling for a meeting in Erie, Pennsylvania. No one knows if that meeting took place. A few dedicated members continued with personal correspondence and hoped to revive the Society eventually, but after their death, the Society's records were stored away and soon forgotten.
Raymond Blair, of Louisville, Kentucky, placed an advertisement in Everton's Genealogical Helper in 1976, looking to correspond with other Blair family researchers. He received a reply from a lady who said she had purchased several boxes of old Blair records at an auction. She had no personal interest in genealogy and offered them to Mr. Blair, who bought them sight unseen. After several years of studying these fragile old records, he decided they needed to be shared with other Blair researchers. In 1982, Raymond placed another ad in the Genealogical Helper, calling for the reorganization of The Blair Society for Genealogical Research. This ad was answered by William E. Osborne, of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Osborne had some administrative experience, and with Mr. Blair, laid the groundwork for the new Society. The official birth date of the new BSGR was 1 February 1983.
The Blair Society for Genealogical Research, after fifty years of dormancy, was once again serving the needs of Blair family researchers around the world and continues to do so, to this day.
