Dietrich, Dad of the American Schmidts

The Schmidt family of Machtlos began with Hans Heinrich Schmidt and Barbara (Rimbach) Schmidt, who lived in the latter 1600s and early 1700s. The branches of the Machtlos Schmidt family who settled in America, however, exist because of Hans Heinrich’s great great grandson: Dietrich Schmidt. Dietrich Schmidt baptism record, 6 April 1803, Machtlos Dietrich Schmidt was […]

The 3 Henry John Schmidts of West Bend, Iowa

If you want to have a conversation about Henry John Schmidt of West Bend, Iowa, you had better be careful. There were, in fact, 3 Henry Johns in the Schmidt family of that town, who all lived at the same time, and were all related to one another. All 3 even used the nickname “Heiney,” […]

Raubs of Dysart, Iowa are Part Schmidt

Franz “Frank” Raub (1849-1920) of Dysart, Iowa Do you trace your ancestry back to Franz “Frank” Raub (1849-1920) and his wife Louisa (Kersten) Raub (1852-1932), who immigrated from Machtlos, Germany to Dysart, Iowa in 1880? If so, you are invited and especially encouraged to attend the Guinness World Record-breaking Schmidt Family Reunion on July 30-31, […]

Schmidt Reunion in the Des Moines Register

Well well, what’s this in the Des Moines Register this weekend? Thanks to reporter Kyle Munson for writing this fascinating story on our upcoming 2016 Schmidt Family Reunion!