Why do I have this blog on the Vanderbilts? Because since visiting the Biltmore Estate several years ago, I’ve become more interested in the family. Especially combined with the fact that I work at Vanderbilt University, so named after the Commodore.
If you’re interested in knowing more about me, please check my About Me page on my genealogy blog.
Hi Taneya,
Well, it looks like we have a couple of things in common. I, too, am a librarian, and I am afflicted with the Vanderbilt obsession as well. We have been to Biltmore 4 times over the last 17 years. In fact we were just there over spring break. I found your blog because I was looking for a Vanderbilt family tree. I just finished reading “Fortune’s Children: The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt” by Arthur T. Vanderbilt II. I bought it because the reviews indicated that he dishes the dirt on the family–and he does. We’ve been to Newport to see The Breakers and Marble House too. (See–I am obsessed.) Anyhow, you might want to check this book out if you haven’t already read it.
Hi Taneya,
I hope that you’ll continue with this blog. I am very interested in the Vanderbilts and wish that I could see The Breakers and Marble House, but they’re a long way from me.
I am especially interested in Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough.
Hve you read “The Glitter and the Gold”, Consuelo’s memoir? There is also an interesting book titled “Alva and Consuelo: Mother and Daughter of the Gilded Age.” (I think I have the title a bit mucked, but it’s something along those lines.) The latter is a very well written account of the two, but I felt it let Alva off the hook a little lightly regarding her treatment of Consuelo.
I am researching the Gwynne/ Vanderbilt family .Alice Claypoole Gwynne married Cornelious Vanderbilt The Gwynne family came originally from Wales A Evan Gwynne emigrated to Baltomore in 1773.
Regards
Thomas Gwynne
Always a treat to find other Vanderbilt-philes. I have been keenly interested in the family since my first visit to Newport in 1980. Since that time I’ve been back to Newport twice, to Biltmore and Hyde Park in New York. I would love to trade information with you. Hope you continue your work on this blog!
Hi,
this is so fascinating, WK Vanderbilt II was my maternal grandfather (Barclay H Warburton III)’s stepfather. The whole idea, though I always knew my grandfather and grandmother both were independently wealthy through inheritance, that my family was that connected was a surprise I didn’t quite become aware till after we left Newport! My mother, and I thought it was a joke at the time, had said she was tired of people seeing money-signs when they saw her. My maternal grandmother’s family goes directly back to John Adams by blood and so my grandfather wasn’t considered to be Upperclass by such Boston Brahmin standards!
Anyhow, my closer-connected relatives have a bit more money than we do but it’s still pretty interesting reading about the old-timers.
Benjamin E. Hardisty
I have been researching VANDERBILT for about 45 years, and I’m still looking. My line goes back to Cornelius & Christina Lane Vanderbilt who lived in Readington, Hunterdon, NJ, Bucks Co., PA and Cumberland Co., PA. I think he may have been the son of Jacob & Neeltje Van Couwenhoven Vanderbilt who lived in Readington NJ and Bucks Co. PA.
I worked with Jean Rand as she wrote her book, but at that time I had beleived Cornelius’s father was Cornelius Aerts Vanderbilt. At any rate I think the Commodore is my 3rd cousin, 3 or 4 times removed.
I’m still looking!
Hi! I am trying to find out a little more about my mothers family and I know that it’s tied into the Vanderbilts and Biltmore Estate. My grandmother is our connection but she is long since passed. I do know that her maiden name is Richards and her mothers name was Teresa (Theresa) Six. No one seems to recall the correct spelling of her first name. I can’t seem to find the connection there but I remember stories my grandmother told us about “the family”.
Do you happen to recall coming across that name in your research at all? I am going to keep digging and hope to get more out of my family but wanted to check wth you as well.
Thanks for the wonderful work you have done. This site is great!!
Thank you,
Rachelle
Jannetje Van der Bilt b. 1682, daughter of Aris
Janse Van der Bilt 1653-1715 and Hildegonde
Van der Beek, married Isbrandt Van Cleef/Cleave possibly in New Utrecht. They were my sixth great grandparents. I have to check everything I see about the Vanderbilt family, even though my link is so far back.
I am a Van der Bilt in the Netherlands and interested in my genealogy. Did any of you perhaps traced back the Vanderbilt’s to the old country?
Hi there:
I am very fascinated with the Vanderbilt family myself and have been working on a Vanderbilt Genealogy myself. There are a few genealogies written, but I don’t think that they do justice to the family. Does anyone know if anyone else is working on the Descendants of the ” Commodore”
If so, I sure would love to share information.
I am (I think) a descendant of the Commodore’s youngest daughter Katherine through her marriage to Smith Barker. This is from my dad’s side of the family, the Barker’s. I have been unable to find any info as to these two people and their families. I know Clarence Barker was a cousin of George Vanderbilt of Biltmore House. I have not been able to find any info on him either. I would love to hear from anyone that may have any info as to these Vanderbilt’s. I have been facinated and drawn to this family for many years. I once met Gloria Vanderbilt and was awed at meeting her. I did’nt know why at that time as my passion for this family was not fully developed. It has only come about in the last few years, even though I have seemed to have felt it since I was a child and did not understand what it was I was feeling. Any help in this matter is appreciated.