Brouwer Genealogy Database Update

The Brouwer Genealogy Database has been updated. The new edition includes new Y-DNA test results from two descendants of Adam Brouwer of Gowanus. There is also a correction of note to the descendants of Jan Brouwer of Flatlands.

Y-DNA testing of males named BROWER or BREWER through the Brewer DNA Project at Family Tree DNA has once again proved valuable. In one instance the participants ancestry, arrived at through traditional genealogical research was confirmed. In the second case, the participant, who's complete Brewer/Brower ancestry is still not determined, as been able to greatly narrow down his list of possible ancestors and has opened up a new, and unexpected door, for descendants of Adam Brouwer. In both cases the participants took the 67-marker test, and having results at this level can now been seen as a valuable way to differentiate between more recent ancestral lines. I would strongly urge, and would love to see, all descendants of Adam Brouwer, who's current tests were conducted at levels less than 67 markers, to upgrade to the 67 marker test.

In the first case a descendant of Jeremiah Brower/Brewer of Highgate, Vermont, was tested at the 67 marker level. His results matched other descendants at 37 of 37 markers, and in one comparison at 36 of 37 markers (this one descendant having a distinct mutation at one allele not seen in the other descendants). The new participant, kit #285309, has been added to the Jeremiah Brower/Brewer chart.

The second case involves a descendant of Mathew Brower of Greene Co., Pennsylvania. We had previously known of descendants of Mathew Brower, but prior to the Y-DNA testing (67-markers) of the descendant, did not have a lead on Mathew Brower's ancestry. This was complicated by the fact that all descendants thus far encountered, were known by the name of BREWER, leaving open the possibility of numerous ancestors including German immigrant families who came to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. The participant's Y-DNA test results demonstrate, beyond a doubt, that the participant, and therefore all of his direct male ancestors including Mathew Brower, are descendants of Adam Brouwer. In addition, the appearance of the value 14, at marker no. 9 (allele 439), leads us to believe that the participant (and Mathew Brower) are descended from Adam Brouwer's youngest son, Nicholas Brouwer. By 1800 Mathew Brower is found in the area of south-western Pennsylvania, near the Maryland line. Previously all descendants of Nicholas Brouwer were found in New York, northern New Jersey, or in the case of Jeremiah Brower (above) in northern Vermont and Canada. The new Y-DNA test results open up new areas to consider in the search for the descendants of Nicholas Brouwer. A simple chart of the participants ancestry is now online (kit #293571) and Mathew Brower will be investigated further in upcoming posts.

The correction to the descendants of Jan Brouwer of Flatlands can be found in the second generation in the family of Pieter Jansz Brouwer and Annatje Jans. A genealogical summery of the descendants of Jan Brouwer was published in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, vol. 138, no. 4 (Oct. 2007), beginning at page 250. The account of Pieter Brouwer, "tentatively" assigned to the family of Pieter Jansz Brouwer (no. 2 in the genealogy) and Annatje Jans (see page 255, no.vii), contains an important error and a miss-identification of a record that leads me to the conclusion that such a son (Pieter Brouwer) did not exist. This, and a probable identification of Annatje Jans, will be elaborated on in upcoming posts. The Family Group sheet for Pieter Jansz Brouwer and Annatje Jans has been corrected and updated.

The Brouwer Genealogy Database itself, is now being created with the newest version of Second Site (version 5.05) that features an expanded pop-up box which shows an individuals ancestry back to his or her's great-grandparents (the older version went to the grandparents only), and a list of the individuals siblings, and partners and children. Just click on that little blue square button under each individual's name. (See the Second Site link, above, for an example).

The BGD now contains data, info, source citations and suggestions on over 40,000 individuals, many related to one of the numerous BROUWER, BROWER, BREWER, BRUERE, BRUER, etc. families found in New Netherland, and colonial New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and elsewhere. In addition there are many individuals who are not related but are found in colonial New York and New Jersey, especially in Kings Co., Long Island. If I have learned one thing over the thirteen plus years that I have now been researching the Brouwers, is that if you want to get a accurate account of your ancestor you cannot simply focus on his or her name only. You have to learn as much about the people they co-existed with as well, whether related or not. The more info you can collect, the more likely you will have success in identifying your correct ancestry. I very much hope that you will find something useful in these pages.

BGB 312