The Albany Vandenbergh family represents a smaller part of a very very large (perhaps the most numerous New Netherland family) regional family group. Vandenberghs also were prominent in lower New York and New Jersey.

The family has several possible origins in the annals of New Netherland. Before 1700, family members often were known by their "patronymic" as "Gysbertse" or "Willemse" or "Gerritse" or "Claese!" After that, the spellings of the Vandenbergh name have vary widely/wildly.

Because of the possible multiple origins of the Vandenbergh family, those eventually known by the surname "Vandenbergh" were very numerous and widely encountered in the general region. However, because they were not exceptionally wealthy or well-connected, a smaller proportion inhabited the city of Albany.

By 1697, the family had spread out into the countryside leaving two households within the Albany city borders.

In 1790, three Vandenbergh-named households were listed on the Albany city census. Eleven more were enumerated in surrounding Watervliet.

In 1813, five Vandenbergh households were listed in the city directory. They were: Jack Vandenberg, 11 Van Tromp; John Vandenberg, grocer, 78 Quay; John Vandenberg, joiner, 7 Pearl; Richard Vandenberg, laborer, 23 Van Schaick; and widow Ann Vandenberg, at 50 Orange.

Numerous place and organization names across the country recall this early Albany family today.

Sources: The Vandenbergh is CAP biography number 5749. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. Under evaluation are Internet resources which lead us backward in time in several directions.