I think the author is talking about earlier generations of Burt family; maybe father, uncles or whatever who were employed by Albamy and making balls back in the 1860s.. The historians who baught my balls said they were from the 1880s. Maybe even thoug the Burts were not in business for themselves back then and worked at Albany does not mean their design was not noted by using their family name. Author seems to imply Portland town hall records show this in pen and ink that the family name opened shop in 1895... I don't know, but here in the USA we have a saying; "You can't argue with City Hall."