Kimball. Membership Membership in the Belnap Family Organization is automatic for all descendants of Gilbert Belnap, who now number over 12,200 and are found in most states and several countries outside the U.S. Membership is also available to other persons surnamed Belnap or Belknap or who descend from such persons. (The surname Belnap or Belknap is believed to be somewhat unusual, in that all known Belnaps or Belknaps living today are thought to descend from one man, Abraham Belknap formerly known as Beltoft, who migrated from Sawbridgeworth, England to Massachusetts about 1635. Although the surname continued in England for several centuries through other branches of the family, it has since died out in its country of origin.) In continuous existence for more than a century, the Belnap Family Organization, a 501(c)(3) association since 1974 organized under the laws of Utah, serves as an umbrella organization through its 15 constituent branches (one for each of Gilbert Belnap's children who lived to adulthood) for sub-organizations at the grandparent and parent levels. Reunions Under the auspices of the organization, descendants of Gilbert Belnap and other Belnap/Belknap relatives have met at least 46 times, starting with the first family reunion in 1904 in Hooper, Utah. Family reunions today are usually held on the second Saturday in August in even-numbered years. See also Belknap (surname) Gilbert Belnap Martha McBride Knight Vinson Knight Notes References Belnap, Arias G., comp. Centennial History in Honor of Utah Pioneer Gilbert Belnap, 1850-1950 (1950, with 1952 and 1956 supplements) External links Ancestors and Descendants of Sir Robert Belknap at sirrobertbelknap.org Vinson Knight (1804-1842) at vinsonknight.org Family associations Latter Day Saint families