Family History of the Matthias Brimberry and Mary Anderson Families

Origins of the Brimberry Family in the United States ''A Lifelong Work Still in Progress By Jerry Brimberry & Marion Brimberry'' October 15, 2006

Background
In the early 1960's, this writer traced the "origins" of the Brimberry family in the United States to the union of Matthias Branberry (sic) and Mary Anderson, who were wed on March 11, 1766 in historic Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church in Wilmington, Delaware. While their marriage in 1766 is used here, for ease of description, as the beginning point of the seven branches of the Brimberry family tree in the United States, Matthias and Mary's colonial Swedish roots, in turn, have both been traced much farther back in time to very beginning of New Sweden, the Swedish colony established by the Swedish crown on the Delaware River in 1638.  Matthias' ancestral roots, for example, have been traced to Måns and Brita Andersson, who were among the first Swedish families to settle in America. Måns and Brita Andersson arrived on the Kalmar Nyckel in 1640. Matthias Brimberry, wed at Old Swedes in 1766, was descended from their daughter, Brita Mansdotter, who wed Johann Gustafsson (c1618-c1682), a King's soldier and lieutenant of artillery at Fort Christina from the Kinnekulle area, Skaraborg lan.  The 41st and 43rd Presidents of the United States, George H. W. and George W. Bush, also traced their ancestry to Måns and Brita Andersson, who are estimated to have at least 250,000 living descendants in the United States today. The reason for this digression from Matthias and Mary, wed at Old Swedes Church, a stone's throw from the original Swedish landing place and Fort Christina, is to introduce unfamiliar readers with the richness of our Swedish heritage and the complexities of Swedish naming practices as well as the origins of the Brimberry surname.  While a short description of the Swedes on the Delaware and Swedish naming practices is furnished below, readers are encouraged to visit the multitude of external links provided throughout this family history for added discussion and enrichment. Keeping in mind that this site is "under construction", descendants of Matthias Brymberry and Mary Anderson and allied families are likewise urged to complete a family data sheet once available.

Toward this end, you are encouraged to revisit this site often and watch us grow during the coming months. Ultimately though, the success of this site will depend on the willingness of you and other readers to contribute materials, including photographs, as soon as those portals become available. This is a huge undertaking! Marion and I both appreciate your patience, support and own contributions to our unending family history. Jerry Brimberry, October 2006 