She has also been referred to as Madeline Brissen Jorisse. 1956

“Magdalena, bap., 27 Oct. 1611, godparents: Bartholomeus Le Blanc, Magdalena Gruson (#3001). [in roman Cahtlic Curch of Armentieres (FJL 1,122,756). 1977

“It is generally believed that Joris Serge is the father of Magdalena/Magdalene/Madeline/Magdeleine Serge/Brissen/ Jorsees/Joire.” 1929

“Reference to his [Matthew’s] wife Magdalena Joire is confined to one paragraph on the first page [of the pamphlet ‘Matthew Blanchan in Europe and America’].
‘Some time before 135, he [Matthew Blanchan] moved to Armentieres, very near the Belgian border, and married Magdeleine Jorisse or Joire. The recent translation of the Mannhei records [French Congregation at Mannheim] make us wonder if this was a patronymic. In one place her name is given as ‘Madeleine sere’ and we wonder if her father’s name could be Joris Serge. Did his family, perhaps, have smethig to do with the development of that twilled fabric so important to the textile industry around Lille? This is sheer speculation.’
Although the name of Matthew Blanchan’s wife is consistently given in documents as ‘Magdalena Joire,’ including its several variations, once she is listed as ‘Madelaine Serge’, as referenced above. On 15 July 1654 in the Registers of the French Congregation at Mannheim, 1651-1710, ‘Madelaine Serge, wife of Mathieu Blanchon’ appears as one of the godmothers at the baptism of Marguerite, daughter of Hugue Malbrancq and Marguerite Desobrye (extract from the register, courtesy of Ruth P. Heidgerd).” 1977

“The premise, that ‘Joire’ was the father’s given name and ‘Serge’ the surname, appears logical. However, a study of the Roman Catholic Church Registers of Armentieres, Departement du Nord, France (formerly french Flanders) does no prove it correct. In fact Magdalena Joire was the daughter of Petrus Joire and Jacoba Le Blan or Le Blanc, and was baptized 27 October 1611, godparents Bartholomeus Le Blanc and Magdelena Gruson (Baptisms Roman Catholic Church of Armentieres, France, 1590-1621, transcribed and indexed, #3001, FHL 1,122, 756). [Most of the first names used in this article are Latin forms found in the church registers. ‘Petrus’ (usually recorded in the genitive, ‘Petri’) was probably ‘Pierre’ in everyday life] Petrus Joire was born circa 1575, his wife Jacoba Le Blanc was born circa 1579, and they were married circa 1600, all dates estimated from the birth of their first child in 1601. Armentieres baptisms do not begin until 1590 and marriages until 1632, therefore, nothing further was found their concerning Magdelena’s parents.” 1977

“The surname ‘Serge’ is not found in the index to baptisms of the Roman Catholic Church of Armentieres, 1590-1621 (FHL 1,122,756), whereas the surname ‘Joire’ is quite prevalent, as also ‘Le Blan’ or ‘Le Blanc.’ According to the Dictionaire Etymologique des Noms de fmille et Prenoms de France, the etymological study of surnames and given names of France by Albert Dauzat, reviewed and enlarged by Marie Therese Morlet (Paris: Libraire Larousse, 1970), page 345, the name ‘Joire’ is an archaic form of ‘George.’ Therefore, it is entirely possible it was a patronymic at one time. However, it is evident ‘Joire’ was an established surname by the time the Armentierees registers began n 1590. Dauzat’s dictionary also includes the name ‘Blanc’ or ‘Blanche’ (page 46) which are the masculine and feminine forms of the adjective ‘white or fair.’ Its many variations include even ‘Blanchon’ which is probably the origin of Matthew Blanchan’s surname.” 1977

“Although Petrus Joire had six children baptized in the Roman Catholic Church, very few other Joires had more than one or two baptized there, leading to the belief they were Huguenots. Therer were a large number of Huguenots in the towns on the present border between France and Belgium, or the area of Flanders, i.e., Tourcoing, Valenciennes, St. Amand, Armentieres, Tournai, Lille and Cambrai. These towns were the chief centers of emigration from the Spanish Inquisition which then had authority in the area.” 1977

“Petrus Joire had six children baptized in the Roman Catholic Church of Armentieres, but his wife Jacoba Le Blan is only mentioned inthe first child’s baptismal record. Shortly thereafter the priest eliminated the mothers’ names completely. owever, it is known that Jacoba was alive until at least 26 August 1608 when she appears as a godmother at the baptism of Daniel Le Blan son of Joannis, in the same parish register as referenced above (FHL 1,122,756 #1912). There is a gap of eight years between the last two Joire children, suggesting the possible death of Jacoba and a remarriage.” 1977

“A search of the Baptisms of the Roman Catholic Church turned up the baptism of Magdelena:
‘27 Oct. 1611, die baptizaa est Magdalena filia Petri Joire, susceptor fuit Bartholomeus Le Blanc, susceptrix fuit Magdalena Gruson.
27 Oct. 1611, was baptized Magdalena daughter of Petrus [Pierre] Joire, godfather Bartholomeus Le Blanc, godmother Magdalena Gruson.’” 1983

“After ascertaining the surname a study of the Dictionnaire Etymologique des Noms de Famille et Prenoms de France (a dictionary of the origin of French surnames and given names) will be very helpful in recognizing the many variations names were given before they became standardized. Also many clues concerning regional origin are often included. For instance, the name ‘Joire’ is an archaic form of ‘George,’ and ‘Blanc’ and ‘Blanche’ are the masculine and feminine forms of the adjective ‘white or fair’. The many variations of the latter include even ‘Blanchon’ which is probably the origin of the Matthew Blanchan’s surname.”1983