Van Duzee is the Anglicized (or rather Americanized) form of the Dutch surname Van Der Zee. The family located early in New York, then a Dutch colony, and has never been numerous. As far as known all of this name are of the same stock.

(I) Albert Andrews Bratt, called "de Noorman," was the immigrant ancestor. At that time surnames were not commonly used among the Dutch, and for several generations many families followed the ancient custom of using the personal name of the father as a designation instead of a family name. In this case, however, Bratt appears to be a surname. He can to Rensslaerwycl, on the Hudson, in 1630, and most of his descendants have lived in northern New York in and about Albany.

(II) Storm Van Der Zee, son of Albert Andrews Bratt, was born on the voyage from Holland, according to family tradition, during a heavy storm, from which he took his name (or perhaps a nickname) that became fixed upon him. In an old deed, Storm's son, Wouter, is called "Wouter Storm Bratt," alias Wuoter Van Der Zee. Storm was a trader, and in 1661 was complained of for smuggling in New Amsterdam.
He married Hilletje, daughter of Gerrit Lansing. They had two sons: Albert, and Wouter, mentioned below.

(III) Wouter, son of Storm Van Der Zee, was born about 1665-75, at or near Albany. He married, July 2, 1695, Jannetje Swart.
Children, born at Rensselaersyck or Albany:
Storm, April 5, 1696, died young.
Elizabeth, July 10, 1698.
Storm, Aug. 3, 1701, mentioned below.
Antoy, Jan. 5, 1704.
Hilletje, Aug. 25, 1706.
Catherina, Jan. 1, 1708.
Albert, May 20, 1709.
Harman, March 4, 1711.

(IV) Storm, son of Wouter Storm Van Der Zee, was born in Albany, Aug. 3, 1701.
Children, baptized in Albany:
Wouter, born July 26, 1736.
Algie, Dec. 17, 1738.
Cornelis, Oct. 5, 1740.
Albert, April 10, 1743, mentioned below.
Teunis, Aug. 24, 1746.

(V) Albert, son of Storm Van Der Zee, was born at Albany, April 10, 1743. He was a soldier in the Third Regiment of Albany county militia during the revolution. Most of this family appear at Watervliet, Albany county. According to the census of 1790, Albert had two males over sixteen, and three females in his family; Albert H., of Watervliet, had two males over sixteen, three under that age, and four females; Cornelis had three over sixteen and five females. Albert, Albertus and Cornelis all were soldiers in the revolution.

(VI) James Van Der Zee, or Van Duzee, as later generations have spelled the name, was probably born at Watervliet, Albany county, May 11, 1768, son of Albert. He settled in Hartford, Washington county, N.Y. In 1818 he came to Gouverneur, N.Y., and died there May 21, 1844. He was a carpenter by trade, and also followed farming.
He married Abigial Brown, of Hartford, born May 9, 1778, died in Gouverneur June 3, 1820.
Children, born at Hartford, N.Y.:
Deborah, Ira A., Resina, Betsey, Alonzo B., mentioned below; James C., Mary, Stephen B., William S., Abigail B., Benjamin C., Albert B. and Andrew J.

(VII) Alonzo B., son of James Van Duzee, was born in Hartford, N.Y. Jan. 19, 1804, and died at Gouverneur, March 15, 1832. He came with his father to Gouverneur in 1818. He learned his father's trade of carpenter and joiner, followed it through active life in Gouverneur, and built many of the houses in this section, many of which are still in use. He died of smallpox. He married Amy Smiley.

(VIII) Charles, only child of Alonzo B. Van Duzee, was born in Gouverneur, Aug. 6, 1830, and died March 18, 1909. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Wesleyan Seminary. He worked at farming in his youth, and afterward engaged in the manufacturing of furniture in partnership with his uncle, S.B. Van Duzee, of Gouverneur, and continued in this business the rest of his life. In 1882 the business was incorporated under the name of the S. B. Van Duzee Manufacturing Company, and he became vice-president.
He was a leading citizen in Gouverneur for more than half a century. In politics he was a staunch Republican, and prominent in public life. For many years he was chairman of the Republican town committee, and a member of the county committee. He was a member of the Presbyterian church.
He married, in 1865, Mary Clark, born in Rutland, Jefferson county, N.Y., July 15, 1835, daughter of Elias and Leafy (Wilcox) Clark. She is now (1910) living in Gouverneur.
Children:
Charles, died, aged eleven years.
Nettie, deceased.
Wilbur Alonzo, mentioned below.

(IX) Wilbur Alonzo, son of Charles Van Duzee, was born at Gouverneur, Dec. 31, 1869, and was educated there in the public schools. He was associated with his father in the S. B. Van Duzee Manufacturing Company, and when the concern was incorporated, became secretary and treasurer. The head of the concern, S.B. Van Duzee, died in 1893, and since the death of his father, Charles Van Duzee, Wilbur A. Van Duzee has been sole manager of the corporation.
He is a Republican, and a member of the town committee of his party. He is a member of Governeur Lodge, No. 325, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Crescent Encampment, No. 82, and Canton Freeman; also of Rebekah Lodge, No. 15, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In religion he is a Presbyterian. He married, in 1903, Dora, daughter of Hugh and Caroline Joyce, of Canton, N.Y.
Children, born at Gouverneur:
Mary, Feb. 22, 1905.
Ruth, Nov. 27, 1906.
Charles, June 18, 1909.
[Transcriber's note: This material was published in 1910, so any subsequent children of this couple did not make the list.]

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