Barent Albertse Bradt

Barents, grandson of Andries Bradt.

Norway's most competent genealogist Tore Vigerust says that there is no evidence that the Andries Bradt had anything to do with Norway: http://da2.uib.no/cgi-win/WebDebatt.exe?slag=listinnlegg&debatt=bru...

Another important discussion thread about Andries Bratt who was Dutch/German:

http://da2.uib.no/cgi-win/WebDebatt.exe?slag=listinnlegg&debatt=bru...

The participants are leading genealogists.

They say that Andries Bradt who has thousands of descendants in the US is extremely unlikely to have any connection to Norway and the Norwegian Bratt-families.

The idea of a connection comes from this book: Scandinavian immigrants in New York 1630-1671 by John O. Evjen published 1916 - it seems to be pure guesswork ... The one reference to FamilySearch is (rightly) mocked as silly - anyone can post anything there and it should never be used as a source, only as ideas of where to search further.

Tore Hermundsson Vigerust, Oslo gamleby, 7.4.2009 00:19 (9) "De som hevder at Albert og Arent kom fra Fredrikstad / Norge har bevisbyrden. For min del vil jeg mene at når en ung mann gifter seg i byen Stade og oppgir å komme fra Fridrichstadt, skal byen identifiseres med den av samme navn som ligger litt nord for Stade. I samme område, så og si."

Translated: "Those who claim that Albert and Arents came from Fredrikstad in Norway must prove this (they have the burden of proof). In my opinion when a young man gets married in the town Stade (in Holland) and says he's form Fridrichstadt, then the city (of his birth) should be identified with the city just north of Stade. In the same area, so to speak." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrichstadt

GEDCOM Note

SUSANNA AND BARENT HAD 10 CHILDREN BORN BETWEEN 1657 AND 1679 THEY LIVED AROUND ALBANY N.Y.

GEDCOM Note

Growing up on his father’s Rensselaerswyck farm, he learned the mechanics of farming, milling, and trading. Those skills enabled him to represent his father and then establish himself in the new village of Beverwyck. About that time, he married Susanna Dircks – the mother of his eight children. The marriage suffered from Barent’s intemperate behavior which led to several court appearances on battery and assault charges! Barent derived his income from sawing – probably at his father’s Normanskill mill. At the same time, he sought to take part in the fur trade. He sought acceptance in now Albany by joining the Dutch church. However, he found trading difficult as his family was fined several times for illegal trading. Instead, Barent Albertse found success in real estate – acquiring several parcels and using boards cut at the Bradt mill to build houses in Albany and outside the stockade. By 1682, he was living outside the north gate. In 1684, his Albany taxes were in arrears. Fives years later, he was listed among the farmers employed by Marte Gerritse but was assessed no money for defense. Raising a large family, he also was the guardian of a number of related children and a frequent baptism sponsor for family members and neighbors. By the 1690s, he had become an Albany mainstay. He served on juries and as firemaster and roadmaster. In 1697, Barent, Susanna, and one child were living in his Market Street house just outside the north gate. Assessment rolls for ensuing years place him among the moderately wealthy Albany householders. He also acquired lots at Halfmoon and Schaghticoke. Barent Albertse Bradt disappeared from Albany rolls after 1712. His four sons further established the Bradt name in Albany and its hinterland.