Early Settlers

The first Brinsmead migration to the Americas probably occurred in 1630 when two Brinsmeades arrived in New England. There names at the outset were spelt Brinsmeade, but this changed over time, as was the case in those days, and the family name in America ended as Brinsmade. There is no doubt they are the same people. More information on this early Brinsmead/Brinsmade line is on a separate page Early American Brinsmeads.

Modern Migrations

There were several more recent migrations to the USA.  All can be traced back to the Brinsmead family from St. Giles in the Wood, Devon, England.  This page provides a summary of the various Brinsmead descendents in America, with links to more detailed pages for the larger groups.

William Brinsmead Snr:  William came to America with his two young sons, William and Henry.  William Snr. died soon after and the young boys were sent for adoption to middle America.  Henry died in an accident at a young age, while William joined the Army and founded what is now the largest contingent of American Brinsmeads. More about William Brinsmead Snr., William Junior and Arthur.

William Brinsmead Jnr: William Brinsmead Jnr. joined the US Army as a young man and rose through the ranks to become Chief Musician. He married Andrea Ingebristsen and together they had ten children. They settled in the Seattle area. Now into the fifth generation, there are about 200 descendents of William and Andrea; by far the largest family grouping in America. More about William Jnr. and Andrea's family.

Reginald Brinsmead:  Reginald was a grandson of John Brinsmead, the piano maker.  After studying agriculture, he visited California and then returned to settle on an orange grove in Riverside, California where he married and where some of his descendents still live. More about Reginald Brinsmead.

Thomas Henry Brinsmead:  Thomas Henry Brinsmead was born in England in 1875. He travelled through Canada trying to gain admission into the US.  After three years he left Canada for Hawaii where he settled and raised a family. More about Thomas Henry Brinsmead.

Henry (Harry) R. Brinsmead:  Harry Brinsmead was born in Australia but emigrated from there to Reno Nevada in the City's early days.  He married and raised a family, running a photography studio and an automotive garage. More about Harry R. Brinsmead.

Ellen (Ella) M. Brinsmead:  Ella Brinsmead was the daughter of William Snr. who left her in England for several years rather than bringing her to America with William and Arthur.  She eventually left England and settled in Iowa, where her brothers were living, and then married Dr. Lewis L. Baker.  The couple had one son. More about Ella (Brinsmead) Baker.

Sister Beatrice Brinsmead: Beatrice Brinsmead was born in North Devon.  Her father was Henry Brinsmead and her mother Mary Penhorwood.  Her mother died the year after she was born, and her father emigrated to Ontario, Canada. We know little else of Beatrice except that, in 1930, she lived a Sister in the Convent and Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis, Missouri, where she died in 1943.

Kenneth H. Brinsmead:  Kenneth Brinsmead was the son of Alfred Charles Brinsmead and Violet Baker, born on October 6th, 1928.  He left England and moved to New York in 1960 with a son and daughter who have since married and raised families in the United States.  Kenneth died of cancer in May, 1971.