Ole Brighton Sea Captain, son Charles Aufinson Bri
Ruthy	I recently received Civil War pension information on my gggrandfather Charles Aufinson/Anfinson Brighton who gave information regarding his early life I had not been able to find. I am hoping someone will recognize the names and help me connect Charles finally, to his Norwegian roots. In the affidavit, he states his father was Ole Brighton, a sea captain. He says that he himself was born "on the Baltic Sea between Norway and Denmark." His mother "lived mostly in Copenhagen" but several statements and letters reveal that he was indeed Norwegian. His date of birth is Sept 14, 1842. He stated that he listed Christiana (Norway) as place of birth as it was the closest city of any size. Charles went to sea some with his father Ole, before coming to Qubec, then Montreal and finally Madison Wis area where an unmarried uncle, also named Ole Brighton lived. I am hoping to find some records pertaining to the father Ole Brighton. I do not have mom's maiden name, and it doesn't seem that Brighton is particularly Norwegian.... Has anyone seen anything that could be another version of Brighton? I'm also looking at Braaten, Brixen and Britzein now, but only as I found those on Copenhagen census.
askeroi	This was quite a challenge, but three days of researching the 1865 cencus has not brought one single candidate to fit your description. Brighton ia certainly not a Norwegian name. Ther are absolutely none in neither the 1801, 1865, 1875 nor 1900 cencus. And not in today's phonebook. Aufinson/sen isn't a name either - at least not by anyone in the 1865 cencus. There are a few hits on Anfinson/sen, but none with the letters "arl" in the first name who is born 1838-1848 and being anything connected to the sea and have a father with any name starting with "Ol" living in any place near the Oslofjord/southern coastal Norway. Nor anyone who could be his father. There are quite a few Carl etc with the patronymicon starting with "Ol", even some with work at sea and even with a father working at sea, too. But no captains - only able seamen and other lower titles. So either both father and son left Norway before 1865 or some of your information is incorrect. Are you shure there is nothing more you can add to help us help you?
Ruthy	Thank you so much for looking! I have tried to work the Norwegian archives sites as well as some Copenhagen/Danish archive sites to no avail. I'm still reading through the pension files, (Civil War) but not finding a lot of early history on him. I found that he said his (Charles) mother's name was "Sigree" but I think that at the time the statement was taken, he was dictating it to a goverment official, so the spelling is prob off. In the statement Charles says his true and correct name is "Charles Aufinson Brighton. My father's name is Ole Brighton and my mother's name was Sigree." Charles left in the Spring of 1861 from Bergen to Qubec then Montreal then to Madison area. I have checked several sites for ship passenger lists and saw a couple of spring 61 arrivals but none with actual lists of passengers (from Bergen). I think it's still likely the spelling of Brighton is wrong. I could not find any Brighton's to match the uncle in Wisconsin for 1860. Charles said that uncle Ole Brighton was his only relative in the U.S. and that he died while he was gone with the Calvary. Charles enlisted using the name Thomas Anfensen, but-since he didn't speak English, a friend gave the information, and so he was "Thomas Anfensen/Anfinson" as long as he was enlisted. He took his real name back after the war. Thomas was chosen for "No particular reason" and he used his middle name because his uncle opposed his enlistment. Could Aufensin be dad's last name? Could Brighton be "Bryggen" or another farm name? Or even Bruton, Braaton, Britton, Braathen? I'm trying to find anything even close, and the only thing I found on the Wis census to match a Br name was Ingebraaten. I would think Ole Brighton the captain would show up on the Captain's Roll. I checked the seaman's roll. If mom lived "mainly in Copenhagen" would she be listed as head of house-assuming there were other children, or would dad. I found a few Charles on the Copenhagen census, but I don't know how to get past the first 100 matches. I appreciate your help. I had always thought Charles was Danish until the pension arrived. We only had one photo of him-as an older man. I'd love to sort his story out, but it may just not be sortable!
askeroi	His father's name was most likely Anfinson, as Charles wasn't an Olson. But Au...? I can't see neither father nor son could have been named that IF they were norwegian. But N and U can be very simular in handwriting... Maybe the mother's name helped a bit? "Sigree" is the normal pronounciation of the norwegian female name Sigri(d). If we chose to believe that Aufinson is a misspelling or misreading for Anfinson and buy that his father's name really was beginning with "Ol" there really IS a couple fitting this combination (and only one couple) and that is http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=f61418.wc2&variabel=0&postnr=1327&fulle=true&spraak=n Even they're age could fit, being born around 1819-23. BUT they're living in Balestrand, wich is quite a bit north of Bergen and extremely far from Oslo. And this Ole is nothing near a ships captain - he's a farmer on a very small farm - and the farm name is nothing near Brighton. It's a shot in the dark and I'm not much convinced it's his parents we've found. I would have expected to find them in a sea port.
askeroi	Sorry - it's not Charles' parents. I've checked the baptsisms in Balestrand. This couple didn't have children before 1856. And NO Charles/Carl/Karl or anything simular. Sorry for giving you false hopes.
Ruthy	Thanks for looking. I'm inclined to think they were Anfinsons as well. Going on the information that he was born "on the Baltic Sea" -and Christiana (Oslo) being the closest town, would his birth be recorded in Oslo someplace? Would that be the "normal" thing to do? I do not have anything to indicate what denomination they were, or even if they attended church regularly. I have very very little on this family. Also- if mom lived a lot in Copenhagen, is it possible the birth was recorded there? It seems strange to me that mom would be out at sea being close to delivery. I guess he could have been on an island? That seems odd too tho. Could mom have been Danish do you think? I saw Charles in the census in Copenhagen, not mine yet, but as you say, it's not really Norwegian. Is Carl the Norwegian of Charles? Appreciate your help!!!!
Ruthy	Ok- this is really a long shot Askeroi, but will you check this link and tell me what you think- any chance this might kinda sorta work? http://www.immigrantships.net/v3/1900v3/stavangerfjord19510414_1.html The Captain is Olaf Bjornstad and there is a Signee Anderson from Oslo passenger #2....
askeroi	I wonder if we can take the frase "born on sea" litturally. I wonder if he did his best to hide his inheritage - or at least make it more exciting. I wonder if we get further searching on these "strange" names. The normal thing to do - wether born at sea or not - would be to baptise him in the church closest to where the parents (or the mother at least) lived at the moment. But you said there was correspondance showing he was norwegian. Maybe this correspondance can give us a hint on where to search. Who did he write to / get mail from? Where did they live. When are this letters written? Sometimes a totally different angle can turn on a light...
askeroi	P.S. There aren't many Sigri(d)'s in the Copenhagen cencuses from 1845, 1850, 1860 either. But none of them have a son called Carl etc or Thomas - and none of them are married to an Ole. Sorry again... But maybe his marriage or wife could give us some hints? Where did his wife come from? When and where did he get married? What did he name his children? (I really would love to solve this problem...)
Ruthy	The information I had been given years ago was word of mouth (oral history) from a great aunt who generally did not spell well and pronounced things with a strong accent. She used to say he was Danish. There are some U.S. census that have on them that he was born in Denmark, mom born in Denmark and Ole the dad born in Denmark-but one has France. This information would have been given by whoever was at the house when the census taker came by, and it is not noted on there who gave the information. The information I posted on here all came from a sworn statement that Charles gave to government officials when he was applying for his Civil War Pension-so it was given by him, written down by the court worker then signed by Charles. I also have a copy of the ledger/record of his service in the 2nd Wisconsin Calvary. Both of these have Kristiana, Norway as his place of birth. Enlistment ledger has Kristiana, and the pension papers have him saying "born on the Baltic Sea, but Christiana was the closest town. I think that is what I put when I enlisted." He talked about not speaking English well, and a friend named Tom Kelly "Did all the talking." I think this is where some of the spelling variation comes in-but he used Aufinsen/Anfinson when he enlisted to keep his uncle from finding him. Later in the statement Charles talks about another Norwegian in the troop and how they were freinds because "We were the only two Norwegians and we spoke the same language." This is why I think he really was Norwegian and not Danish. The woman Charles married was Charlotte (Charity)E. Dun or Irwin. There is not a lot of information on her either. I know her father was from Ireland and mother born in Missouri, US. They both died around the time of the Civil War and she was either raised by or adopted the Dun family. I haven't found any family information with the Irwin/Erwin name. They got married in Bosque county Texas. She was living with a Flanary family at the time. Bosque was the largest Norwegian community in Texas at that time, by the way. They had a son named "Tom O." I don't have anything with the middle name, a daughter named (get ready) Layfette Latyra Virginia Sam (named after 4 neighbors but went by Jennie), and Rosa Jane. Rosa had a son she named "Charley B." All the records I have where Charles signed things are signed "Brighton". I have an obituary transcript that says "Mr. C.A. Brighton died last Monday at the home of his son-in-law, Claude Moonahan, at the age of 75 years. Deceased was a native of Denmark and came to this country when he was 20 years old. He was an active laborer up to within a few weeks of his death. He had lived and honorable and industrious life and was worthy of the noble race to which he belonged. "Peace to his ashes." I verify that this is verbatum from the 12/4/1909 Haskell Free Press----Judy Benton, 505 N Ave F, Haskell Tx 79521." Not too sure about that. Charles said he was 18 when he enlisted, and the date of birth I have for him (from him) is Sept.16,1842. He enlisted Sept of 1861. The census year of birth goes anywhere from 1837 to 44. I have sent for a copy of his death certificate, and his wife's as well. Maybe there will be something on either of those. It's been about 4 weeks now (takes 8-10). I also sent for a copy of their daughter Rosa Jane's birth certificate hoping something would be on that. Can you think of anything else? I thought finding the Uncle Ole in Wisconsin would help, but I think not having the probable correct spelling of the last name is keeping me from finding him- and he had no wife or kids, according to Charles. Did any of this help?
askeroi	Not much, I'm afraid. The reason for asking was that immigrants often married persons from more or less the same place as they themselves came from - and often kept the norwegian tradition of naming their children after their parents. Unfortunately 'your' Charles didn't. I've taken the chance of asking my friends at Digitalarkivet on your behalf for sons born in Christiania on the given date with parents Ole and Sigri(d) and linked to this page. Someone might have access to the chirchbooks for Christiania at the time and are willing to check it out from that angle. It's in norwegian, but if any answeres occour I'll keep you informed. http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/WebDebatt.exe?slag=listinnlegg&debatt=brukar&temanr=23127&sok=&startnr=&antall=&spraak= Let's cross our fingers... P.S. I haven't seen your long shot link before now - unfortunately the link doesn't get anywhere (it doesn't work) anymore - at least not on my computer...
Ruthy	Here is what I was trying to post in the link.... Page 1 of 2 Oslo, Norway to Halifax, Nova Scotia 14 April 1951 This passenger list was compiled from the program given to passengers on departure. The ship S.S. Stavangerfjord, Captain Olaf Bjornstad, left Oslo, Norway on 6 April 1951 and arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 14 Apr 1951. Columns represent: Name of Passenger, sex*, and town of origin. Liste over Forste Klasse 1. Agersborg, Svend E.V. herr Kobenhaven 2. Andersen, Signe fru Oslo 3. Bendixen, Torres herr Lillesand 4. Bernsten, Kaare herr Oslo 5. Bejerre, Poul M. herr Kobenhaven 6. Braavold, Hjalmar J. herr Sandefjord 7. Bugge, Rasmus herr Oslo 8. Bugge, Lydia fru Oslo It probably is not related at all. Can you suggest some spellings of Brighton for me to consider while searching? I checked the Dane County, Wisconsin census of 1860 again last night and the only "Ole" is a "Birkrem". That is the only "Ole" with a surname starting with a BR sound. I thought maybe if I found the brother of the father that was Charles's uncle maybe that would give us some clues, but I haven't found him. Maybe he went by another name, but that is what Charles referred to him as in the document. I will keep looking !
askeroi	From my friends at Digitalarkivet: There was an Ole Brighton in the Iowa state 1895 cencus: http://www.ancestry.com/ancestry/security/deny.asp? Have you checked him out?
askeroi	More negativ information I'm afraid: No couple Ole / Sigrid had a son baptised in Christiania born on the given date. That's definitive. Back to square one...
Ruthy	I have seen the Brighton family in Iowa before. I don't think there is a connection. The uncle of my gggrandfather is said to have died while he was in the Army. That time frame would be from 1861 when he enrolled until 1863 or 64 (U.S. Civil War). I would think he would have contacted his uncle for sure to help prove his identity. Most of the correspondence in this file I got was with anyone who might remember him from the military unit he served in. He was trying to establish that he was the person known as Thomas Aufensen/Anfinson. I will recheck the Ole S. Brighton however. That is pretty strange to see the name connected to Norway again, don't you think? Maybe the uncle "disowned him" or cut off relations with him because he went against his wishes.
askeroi	It seems like we don't get any further in this direction, I'm afraid. Do you know anything more about this uncle Ole Brighton? When he was born? His patronymicon? Did he marry a 'norwegian' girl? Before ore after settling in the US? Did he have children with names that can tell anything about his heritage? Since such information doesn't occur I assume Charles never mention any siblings? Your Charles couldn't have spoken much about his background to his family as such different info was giving in the cencuses. Wonder if he actually wasn't the son of a ships captain at all, rather of 'travelling people'? Are his descendants dark or blond? (I don't want to embarass you - I'm just trying every angle...)
askeroi	I'm not convinced, but my friends at Digitalarkivet has come up with a possible suitable family: father: Arnfin Olsen, 41 in 1854 mother: Sigrid Thomasdatter, 42 son: Ole Anfinsen, b. 1840 son: Thomas Anfinsen, b. 1842 (=Charles Brighton???) daughter: Berit, 6: http://digitalarkivet.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=valdutfl&variabel=0&postnr=5727&fulle=true&spraak=n And here's an additional daughter: http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=sogndaap&variabel=0&postnr=63141&fulle=true&spraak=n They moved around as you see, but disappear after 1854. Do you find them in any US/canadian cencus shortly after? This is a very long shot, but every tip must be checked out in this case...
Brining	The Ole S Brighton in the 1895 census is Ole S Bryngleson in the 1900 census immigrated in 1864 so it doesn't look too promising. Far off long shot there is a Thomas Arnnfinson Christened Sept 18 1842, Father Anfin Olsen, mother Sigrid Thomasdtr [url="http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/IGI/individual_record.asp?recid=100226384573&lds=1®ion=12®ionfriendly=Norway&frompage=99"]Click Here[/url] probably unlikely but thought I would throw it into the mix [:p] Carla Oops looks like Askeroi got his post in while I was working on this. These must be the same individuals. [:o)]
Ruthy	Thanks for the new leads guys! I am still trying to find information on "Uncle Ole." I have some new posts up on a U.S. forum of states and counties in Iowa and Wisconsin. Maybe someone will recognize the information. From what Charles told the pension investigator, Uncle Ole was not married, and died while he was gone in the calvary, but maybe Uncle Ole did get married and Charles had not know? I guess this is possible, especially if they had an argument. Charles had fair complexion, light hair, blue or grey eyes, was about 5'6-5'7, slight build. There are several descriptions of him from troop mates (Army comrades). Two mentioned his nose! One said it was "slightly upturned" on the end, the other said "Slightly flattened" Hmmmm! One of his daughters was auburn haired, most of the granddaughters were blonde, or light brown and 5 of us gggrandkids are all red headed. We have always thought it came from his line, as the other lines are all dark haired. We are all fair complected. Charles's wife had an Irish father tho- The Anfinson line, are any of them sailors? The one you mentioned? I was surprised when I read that when Charles chose the name Thomas- "For no particular reason" . It didn't make sense to me. He named one of his sons "Thomas O." Seems a connection or clue to me, don't you? That Thmas died at about 22 years though, so no wife or kids.
askeroi	We have no knowledge about the Anfinsons occupation. And please do note the increpance in birth date in Thomas contra Charles. But if (some of) these people appear as Brighton's in an american cencus your problem is solved. If you find them as Anfinsons we're back to square one... But it's worth giving a try, don't you think?
Ruthy	Not having much luck with the US census, but still looking.
Ruthy	Have been out of town on family trip. We came through the town where Charles and Charity Brighton got married in 1875. I looked in the library and local history office, but didn't find anything on him. I did find some information on the family his wife was living with at the time- am going to work on that lead this week. The town was small (3000) but the county/area is the site of what was the largest Norwegian community in the southern U.S. in the late 1800's. I will try and get a copy of the local history book.
Ruthy	I have found a new spelling that I'd like an opinion on...Please advise if this sounds plausible. I am still trying to sort out where "Brighton" could have come from. Could it be "Bredeson" in Norway? Would this make sense? I see an Ole Bredeson on immigration who went from Christiana to New York on board the Incognito. He was 27 yrs old. He arrived N.Y. Sept 13, 1852. Does anyone think this could be "Uncle Ole Brighton?" There is also a listing for an Ole Bredeson who arrived Wisconsin 1854 for Adams County Wisconsin (Naturalization records). Just checking possibilities. Thanks for opinions in advance!
Ruthy	I'm still digging! Today, I found someone (Ole Nelsons- no relation to me that I know) who was born "Braten, Nord Aurdal, Oppland, Norway." At another site- Daughters of Norway, there was a query about an Ole Olson Rundbratten/Rundbraten and ref. to it being Rundbraten farm. Could this be where Brighton comes from? I did finally receive my answers to my death certificate requests for Charles A. Brighton and his wife. There was no record at the state office for Charles, so I still have no burial location, and his wife's did not have any new information on it either-so still no names of parents for her.