Brenna - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Carl Brenna, b 1897, Norway

xenafile — 2008-08-05 02:26:04Z

P.S. Sorry, my other email address appeared on my message earlier today.

Anyway, I forgot to add that my Norwegian grandmother, Tora Larsdatter Rustadalen, b. 1891, was from Bøverdalen, near Lom, in Oppland. So one possibility is that my grandfather was from a nearby area.

Re: Carl Brenna, b 1897, Norway

tilnorge — 2008-08-05 02:21:14Z

HI, thanks so much for your message and suggestions. I will search the area you mention. Unfortunately, a large part of my problem is that I really do not know what area my grandfather was from.

There are 2 possibilities, neither is a definite. One family member (not an older person who might know) says she thinks my father said his Norwegian mother and father were from nearby valleys in Norway, though they didn't meet until in Pacific Northwest U.S. I don't know if there is any merit to this idea.

The 2nd possibility is that my grandfather was from Trondheim. His 1918 U.S. draft registration card lists Julia Brenna as his nearest relative. He gives no address, except the old spelling of Tronheim and then Norway.

I think a Bygdebok is the best way to find him, but of course I need a more specific area, so I will search the one you suggest.

Could you give me some dates for your family members that are Carl Brenna and Julia Brenna? As I look back at my information on Carl Brenna, I realize I don't know the relation between Carl Brenna and the Julia Brenna he lists as nearest relative; she could be mother, sister, or?

He also says on his 1918 draft reg. card that he first entered the US in 1909. I have never found his name and date of birth in any passage to US or Canada, nor in 1900 Norwegian census. But of course I have no patrynimic for him. There is a possible 1911 Canadian census that doesn't have exactly the right birthday, but might be him.

When I assemble my information for him, I realize I can only account for about 19 months of his life: Sept. 1918-Spring 1920 in Portland, OR.

How can you be sure our families are not related?

Thanks again, hope this isn't too long. Best, Xena Brenna

Re: Carl Brenna, b 1897, Norway

ndawnman — 2008-07-31 03:02:37Z

Do you have any information on where in Norway your grandfather came from. Some of the communities in Norway have extensive bygdeboks which contain information on all the people who ever lived in their community and their ancestry. Some bygdeboks have information on igration as well.

It is interesting to note that my mother's uncle was Carl Brenna and he had a sister Julia. I am sure your grandfather is not part of my family lineage but he could be part of the lineage from my Great-great-grandfather's brother. I have not researched that part of the family but the bygdebok for Aal in the Hallingdal valley would be a good place to start. This is the county of Buskerud.

Re: History of the Brenna Name

ndawnman — 2008-07-31 02:49:07Z

There are many areas of Norway in which the Brenna name is common. It has a couple meanings which I have found in researching the family history. One reference is to burning and often referred to the particular occupation of an individual. They would burn wood to produce pine tar and pitch. An additional meaning refers to being betrayed.

Tammy, the Brenna name was particularly common in the Hallingdal valley. The parishes of Aal, Gol, and Hol all had several Brenna families. Many of these families settled in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Carl Brenna, b 1897, Norway

xenafile — 2008-07-15 12:34:06Z

Am looking for any info on Carl Brenna (name used in US) born in Norway, 1897. Immigrated to US, probably via Canada, 1909. The only 2 pieces of info I have on him are 1918 US draft reg card and 1920 census for Portland, OR.

Have not been able to trace him in Norway or after 1920.

On 1918 draft card he says his birth date is 10 Sept 1897, works for Standish ship co (steel), lives in Portland, closest relative is Julia Brenna in Trondhjem.

1920 census shows him living with his stated wife, Thora, in Portland, OR. Form says he immigrated 1909 and is naturalized, though I think he wasn't.

My family implied Carl Brenna probably deserted his wife Thora and young son (my father, born in 1920 in Portland, OR) sometime during the 1920s.

The 1930 US census in Los Angeles shows Thora Brenna and my 10 yr old father without Carl Brenna.

There's also a family rumor that Carl and Thora, though they didn't meet until in US, were from neighboring valleys or fyllkes in Norway. Thora is from Bøverdalen, Oppland, and I have lots of info on her, including from parish records.

I think Carl used a patronymic last name in Norway, not the Brenna farm name. A likely name would be Olsen/Olson, but I am not at all sure.

Re: Brenna-where the name comes from

2004-09-30 23:32:05Z

Sylvia,
You wouldn't happen to part Cheroke Indian, would you? My great-grandmother's last name was Young, also, and she was part Cheroke. Her daughter (my grandmother) is the one who married into the Brenna family. I know that my grandmother lived all of her life in Connecticut, but I think that my great-grandmother was born somewhere in the mid-west and moved here when she was a child. Or she may have been born on a Cheroke reservation right around the start of the 20th century. My grandfather was one of 17 children. In fact, he was one of the youngest.

Brenna surname origin

2004-02-05 15:26:09Z

Hi all,
first thing, Naples is in the south of Italy NOT the North.
My surname is of coarse Brenna , I'm italian and and the area in Italy where this surname is more popular is area near Milan.
The origingoes back t obarbaran invsion in Italy by Longbards.
That's all I know.
Alex

Re: Brenna family of Brenna Township, Grand Forks, ND

2004-01-09 01:38:20Z

Hi, my name is Amy. I am Great, Great, Great, Great Grandaughter to Orjans Brenna, Sr., who first came to Grand Forks county in 1878, with his 2 brothers and father Helge O. Brenna. The first came to Minnesota, from Norway in 1873.

I am currnently putting a family tree together and was wondering if you had any information that might help me out. Like what happened to Orjans other brother that is not mentioned coming to Grand Forks. I heard that he might have been in the Civil War. Is this right?

Re: Brenna family of Brenna Township, Grand Forks, ND

ndawnman — 2003-10-03 15:38:41Z

I do not believe there is any relationship to the Brenna's from Grand Forks, ND. They arrived in 1869 snf 1873 from Norway. I am unaware of any later arrivals.

Re: Brenna family of Brenna Township, Grand Forks, ND

2003-10-03 07:41:46Z

I don't know where "my" Brenna's went, but I found my G-G grandfathers nephew Johannes Brenna (age 19) arriving at Ellis Island Aug. 12 1924, Destination at that time was his uncle Carl Theodorsen, Watertown NY.

Re: Brenna family of Brenna Township, Grand Forks, ND

2003-09-30 20:41:52Z

Re: Brenna family of Brenna Township, Grand Forks, ND

2003-09-30 01:03:05Z

I dont know if were connected but I live in Washington and my family name is Brenna. We have norweigen herritage.

Brenna family of Brenna Township, Grand Forks, ND

2003-08-05 18:10:16Z

I am looking for anyone with information about the Brenna families that lived in Brenna Township near Grand Forks. I have a lot of information but there are also many questions which are left to answer. One is their relationship to the Lien family which also settled in the same area. Fribjorg Brenna seems to have disappeared even though some believe she was married to a Ole Nesseth.

Re: SEARCHING

ndawnman — 2003-07-31 19:02:02Z

Engebret Brenna of Brenna Township at Grand Forks, North Dakota was my Great-Grandfather. I have been searching for his son Karl (possibly changed to Carl) Oscar. I am assuming you are Carl's son. I am very interested in talking to you and getting as many details about your father. I can fill in many blanks that you may have about the family as well. Please send email to: ndawnman@cableone.net. Thank you.

Don Lippert

from belgium

sylv_young — 2003-06-12 22:29:37Z

i have realitves of belgium descent by the name of brenna if any has any information on them i would love to hear it i know one was named jules

Re: Brenna name/research

sylv_young — 2003-06-12 22:25:48Z

if you have information on belgium brennas i belive they came to virgina in the early 1900s i would love that i am 18 and i am also constructing a family tree

Re: Brenna, the name, the history

sylv_young — 2003-06-12 22:23:39Z

im not sure of any relation here but i do know that jules brenna who would be my great great grand father came to america from belgium

Re: Brenna-where the name comes from

sylv_young — 2003-06-12 22:19:45Z

my grandmothers madian name is brenna and her father came to the usa from italy so if you could help me out anywheres with that it would be cool

Brenna-where the name comes from

2000-11-09 11:55:51Z

History of the Brenna Name

2000-08-12 18:04:03Z

My grandfather was Calmer Brenna ( he had a farm in Middle River MN). I was told that our original name was Olson, however upon our ancesters coming to America they took the Name Brenna.. As Brenna in a town in Norway, Close to Hollingdahl ( I apolgize as I am unsure of the correct spelling)...

Brenna

2000-06-15 07:13:16Z

My mother's maiden name is Brenna. She died in March of 1999 after having lived in the US since 1965. She came from Italy, having been born in the south, in Lecce. She has three surviving brothers, all in different cities in Italy. My mother's father was Angelo, and her mother was Adele--. Her maiden name was Orlandi.

Surname Brenna

2000-05-11 05:46:10Z

my grandmothers surname was Brenna, and she is from Lom in Gudbrandsdal Norway.
I still have relatives named Brenna in this valley.
It is also Surname Brenna in Heddal, Notodden in Norway

BRENNA SURNAME

2000-04-12 22:05:26Z

I WAS TOLD THAT BRENNA IS NORWEGIAN.

Brenna Surname

2000-04-09 00:50:10Z

Charles I am still waiting for a reply from my father-in-law about the family - as soon as I have further information I will let you know

Norway, Martin Brenna

2000-03-30 08:41:42Z

Glenn: is there any info you might have on the origin of the name itself, and whether or not there is any immigration to or from Southern Europe?

Brenna

2000-03-30 08:39:47Z

I was unaware of any Sicilian branch, I have heard there is some Northern European branch...but it is unclear if there is a connection. I am also interested in the origin of the name itself. The branch I can trace comes from a small town in the province of Potenza, San Fele, and appears to dead end there. Except for immigration to America, of course.

Brenna Surname

2000-03-29 11:37:35Z

My Husband is John Brenna his family is from Italy - we are currently searching for information on his family - We know Sicily and are working on more

Brenna, the name, the history

2000-01-07 14:13:37Z

Appaerntly, there is a Northern European Branch on the Brenna tree.If anybody has info or history on the origins of this name, I would be very interested.

Brenna name/research

Brenna2000 — 2002-05-30 03:31:46Z

I have just recently started a family tree for my 1 year old daughter. My husband's family is from Northern Italy. My mother in law is currently putting a list together for me of all the Brenna's and I'm doing some research on my own. I would love to share my information with others.

Martin Brenna

gbarvang — 2002-04-30 13:01:10Z

My great grandfather was named Martin Brenna. He was born around 1850.
He lived i LillestrÃ¸m outside Oslo,Norway.

SEARCHING

2002-10-10 23:04:17Z

MY GRANDFATHER'S NAME WAS ENGBREGT BRENNA. HE LIVED IN BRENNA TOWNSHIP NEAR GRAND FORK, ND IN 1890. I WOULD WELCOME ANY INFO ABOUT HIM AND HIS FAMILY.