Biloxi in Harrison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
The Brides Of La Baleine
Historic Biloxi
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 16, 2024
1. The Brides Of La Baleine Marker
In 1720, eighty-eight French women volunteered for travel from Lorient, France on a "Dutch built" flute named LA BALEINE to Biloxi, the capital of la Louisiane franηaise, the French Louisiana colony. They arrived on January 8th, 1721, when they anchored at Ship Island.
The list of the names for these female adventurers was lost (mis-filed) in the French Archives for more than 266 years, only being discovered in 1987, and published by Bruce Ardoin (National Genealogical Quarterly Dec. 1987) who called them the "Baleine Brides."
The Baleine Brides settled in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Illinois, and Arkansas with active descendants from Mobile to New Orleans along the Gulf Coast and today descendants extend across North America.
Prior to 1720, France tried to settle the Louisiana colony using criminals and deportees
In October 1719, Governor Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne de Bienville sent a letter to the King's Council of the Marine in Paris expressing his dissatisfaction with convict labor in Louisiana
In May 1720, the King's Council issued an edict that prohibited sending criminals to Louisiana
Women from la Salpκtriθre orphanage in Paris were selected for travel to the colony
The Cardinal Louis-Antoine de Noailles, Archbishop of Paris, approved thelist
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On June 12th, 1720, the group was transported to Paimboeuf, France, for embarkation
In August 1720, LA BALEINE departed Lorient, France, on the Brittany Coast, and anchored at present-day Ship Island, Mississippi on January 8th, 1721
The women were "housed" at Ft. Maurepas, Old Biloxi, present day Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Sixty Baleine Brides were married at Old Biloxi in 1721
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is January 8, 1721.
Location. 30° 23.691′ N, 88° 54.073′ W. Marker is in Biloxi, Mississippi, in Harrison County. It is at the intersection of Beach Boulevard (U.S. 90) and Porter Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Beach Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1048 Beach Blvd, Biloxi MS 39530, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Evolution of Biloxi Tourism (here, next to this marker); Essence of Biloxi (a few steps from this marker); High Water Mark (a few steps from this marker); Pierre LeMoyne Sieur d'Iberville (within shouting distance of this marker); The Biloxi Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Archaeological Findings
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 16, 2024
2. The Brides Of La Baleine Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,407 times since then and 172 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
