THE HISTORY OF THE VAN DEUSEN'S

This site is dedicated to the history of the Van Doersen family which had its beginning around 1636 in New Amsterdam (New York City). The details of the history are contained in the History of the Van Deusen Family by Albert Harrison Van Deusen published in 1912 , on file with the library of congress and in the genealogical library of your local Mormon or Later Day Saint research center on micro film. Among other things in this history he records that the family since 1636 has adopted at least seven spellings of the name. All of which are directly linked to the original ancestor. In some cases one son would adopt one spelling, his brother another their children would change the spelling and all would be different from the father. In this regard your spelling of the name does not indicate who you are related to prior to about 1900. Albert Harrison, the author, was born in Canada with a birth name of Van Dusen and changed it to Van Deusen.

Albert Harrison’s history of the family is probably one of the best family histories in the United States up until the eighth generation . It does not need to be re-researched or redone unless one likes to remake the wheel. On the other had there are errors. Most important it slows with about 1870 and definitely is not complete from about 1900. I find it sad that such a great work will remain 100 years out of date.

WHAT I AM DOING IS FREE NO CHARGE

My part in this is relatively simple. I would like to update the family history to the present. Most of us are now between the eleventh and the thirteenth generation. I need the information from the eight or ninth generation which means in most cases it is between three and five generations. A secondary objective is to make all members of the family aware there is such a thing as the Van Doersen family and how each fits into it.

My problem has been that members of the family , especially the New York branch appear to be reluctant to forward information on their line so that I might record it sand hopefully publish an update of the family history. E-mail , letters, or any other form of communication are requested. In most cases to make a link with the older history I do need your line back to around the 1870’s or before if possible. I record the female as well as the male line. I am not asking for money, or charging any fees all I am requesting is the information you know about your family

THIS IS WHAT HAS BEEN DONE

1.With the aid of purchased mailing lists I have sent out seven or more flyers to the more than 3,000 in the United States who have one of the spellings of the family to solicit information on their family lines to update the family history. I have received about 400 replies most of which I was able to add into the expanded d-base program I use. I have been able to bring up to date a number of family lines. Even after six years I have a long way to go.

2. In order make available to all what I know about the family I began a Chronicles of the family as a yearly or less publication in which I attempt to write of the conditions which controlled the lives and behavior of the family in different periods. Unfortunately I feel that many believe they have to subscribe to forward their family information. Nothing could be further from the truth. I will plead guilty that I hope to cover some of the out of pocket expenses of mailing. At the same time I have hoped to give some insight into the family. I have settled on a $5pre-printing offer for the chronicles which  I chose for it was less than Playboy and I hope had more lasting interest. At this point the 200 or so who have gratefully supported this effort have been able to keep the finances at about an even keel slightly in the hole.

3. I have also sub-contracted to have the family coat of arms reproduced and hand colored which is $25 in black and white and $35 in color.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

From Abraham Peterson Van Deusen the lst generation of 1 family I have recorded the expansion of the family to 706 families in the 9^th generation born between 1840-70. From this peak there is a gradual decrease to 274 families in the 12^th generation , born between 1930-50, which I project should be about 1,400. If you have not contacted me or have a family number please send information regarding your line, if possible back to the 1850 period, if not what you know and have for I may make a connection with what others submit. The following is what I need to begin looking at your line

Spelling of family name __Van ________________

Decade First name Parental(male) date of birth location

of birth ancestor born/lived

1840-70 _______________________ _____________ _________

1860-1890 _______________________ ______________ _________

1890-1930 ________________________ _______________ _________

1930-50 ________________________ ________________ __________

vandhist@netmcr.com

http:// ns.netmcr.com/~vandhist

Copyright E.R. Van DeusenŠ 1997