To kick off the Schmidt Family Crest Design Contest, reunion organizer Josiah Schmidt has submitted the first option for our family’s crest! SUBMISSION #1 Designer: Josiah Schmidt This family crest is divided into four quadrants. The upper left quadrant contains a hammer and anvil, which symbolizes the trade (smithing) that gave our family its name, […]
For the last several centuries, wealthy European families received official family crests from the authorities for noble deeds, academic achievement, or exceptional service to one’s ruler. Our Schmidt ancestors were humble, hard-working peasants in a tiny village called Machtlos, hidden away in the dense Wildeck Forest. As such, they were never recognized in this way. […]
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 […]
When we hold our record-breaking Schmidt Family Reunion in Spencer, Iowa next summer, from July 30-31, 2016, all of the invitees will be descendants of Hans Heinrich Schmidt and Barbara (Rimbach) Schmidt. But just who is this ancestor of ours named Hans Heinrich Schmidt? Hans Heinrich Schmidt baptism record, 8 December 1656, Blankenbach Hans Heinrich Schmidt was […]
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, […]