John, Johanna, Erastus Barry -Norway bef.1843
lraiola	My great-great-grandfather Erastus Barry was born in Norway in May 1833 and immigrated, probably with his parents to USA about 1842. His parents were John and Johanna Barry, both listed on his death record as having been born in Norway. One record does list his nationality as Swede, others such as census records all say Norwegian. He was working as a clerk in a textile mill in Catskill, Greene County, New York as of 1850 census and was in New York City by 1860 where 2 sons were born, Erastus Payne Barry (Barrey) and Percy Payne Barry. Name is not typically Norwegian. I have not been able to discover any further details about place of birth or abode in Norway ? anyone have any suggestions ? Erastus Barry was an engineer.
thelebrity	You will have to use your imagination to find both his first name and his surname. The surname is probably a americanized farm name. The a could have been an æ (ae) in norwegian, but it could also have been for instance Biri. Since the family emigrated so early you will most likely not find them in any norwegian census. One way isto search for plausible norwegian farm names, and then check the parish registers to see if anyone given a name resembling Erastus has been baptized in the parish in 1833. Per Helge Seglsten
thelebrity	These are some of the farm names in the 1865 census that could have been americanized to Barry upon immigration: FARM PARISH FYLKE Børud, Eidsberg, Østfold Bærø, Haabøl, Østfold Birid, Birid, Oppland Bry, Aal, Buskerud Bærø, Sandøkedal, Telemark Bærøe, Drangedal, Telemark Børø, Søgne, Vest-Agder Berø, Lyngdal, Vest-Agder Byrø, Hjelmeland, Rogaland Børøen, Finaas, Hordaland Berøen, Fuse, Hordaland Bærø, Aure, Møre og Romsdal Børø, Hitteren, Sør-Trøndelag Barøen, Aafjord, Sør-Trøndelag Børøen, Bjørnør, Sør-Trøndelag Barøen, Fosnæs, Nord-Trøndelag Bærøen, Brønø, Nordland Bærøyen, Thjøttø, Nordland Barøe, Herø, Nordland Barøen, Lødingen, Nordland Barøen, Øxnæs, Nordland Per Helge Seglsten
thelebrity	Here is the only Erastus (or any other name ending with -astus)I found in the 1865 census. This is in Aust Agder, and could point to one of the Barry-ish farm in Vest Agder - or any other are with mormons, as this Erastus was the son of a mormon. The name is not of norwegian origin, and might be a typical mormon name. Per Helge Seglsten
thelebrity	Here is the only Erastus (or any other name ending with -astus)I found in the 1865 census. This is in Aust Agder, and could point to one of the Barry-ish farm in Vest Agder - or any other are with mormons, as this Erastus was the son of a mormon. The name is not of norwegian origin, and might be a typical mormon name. http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=arkivverket/ft1865/f60920&variabel=0&postnr=5675&fulle=true&spraak=7[url][/url] Per Helge Seglsten
thelebrity	In the 1900 census there are two named Erastus. One of them is a mormon missionaire (born in the USA, but probably with norwegian parents). The other Erastus lived in Lofoten, but I think the emaigration from this area was very limited before 1850. My best advice so far would be to look for mormons in Norway around 1830. There can't have been many, but maybe the LDS in Salt Lake City has records of where they were. I'd guess most of them imigrated to USA and Utah. Per Helge Seglsten
Brining	The other possibilty is they could have been Quakers. There were quite a few who emigrated early. Here is a site that gives some tips on tracing early emigrants http://www.horlacher.org/genarticles/scandem.htm Maybe you can find something in one of the sources they list. Also did Erastus' parents have any middle initials? Sometimes this is an indication of what their patronymic name was and could help in your search. Carla
lraiola	thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I still have no inputs about middle names. I was able to make a quick visit to Norway in August 2003 and went to the Emigration center in Stavanger... no luck on my research, but I thoroughly enjoyed Norway.... can't wait to come back. . Note on the Mormons... they were just starting up in New York area in 1832/3... so I kind of doubt a connection. Will try to search more on the Quakers... though religion on that side of the family is Lutheran/Espicopalian.... kind regards to all, Linda Raiola