Family Tree Snapshot

Migration Map

Just a Bit of My Own Family Tree 

The Schmit Family arrived in New York City on September 21, 1847 on the ship Ontario. Nicholas arrived with wife Maria (nee Redinger) and six children (Michael, Anna Margaret, Nicholas, Catherine, younger Michael, and John). 

The Schmit family originated in Kayl, Luxembourg. 

Nicholas Schmit was born on April 22 1798 in Kayl, Luxembourg with parents Michael Schmit and Franscica "Susan" Biver.  

Maria Redinger was born on June 14 1807 in Tetange, Luxembourg.  

Nicholas and Maria were married in Kayl, Luxembourg on April 13, 1825.  

The Schmit family appears in the 1846 Luxembourg Census. Nicholas and Maria had three other children Nicholas (1830- 1831), Henry (1838-1842), and Henry (1844-1846). All died in Kayl, Luxembourg.  

At some point, around 1850, Nicholas with Maria, Catherine, younger Michael, and John traveled to Wisconsin. They settled in the town of Belgium in Washington County (eventually Ozaukee County). They appear in the 1850 Census. Nicholas is named a farmer.  

Older Michael Schmit with sister Anna Margaret and brother Nicholas remain in New York City. Michael marries Magdalena Schagrin from Bruchsal, Baden, Germany at Most Holy Redeemer in Manhattan, New York on July 6 1851. Anna Schmit marries Johan Betz from Bissen, Luxembourg at Most Holy Redeemer in Manhattan, New York on May 20 1852. I have not found Michael, Nicholas, or Anna in the 1850 US Census. 

Around 1852, brothers Michael and Nicholas Schmit travel to Wisconsin to join the family. Nicholas Schmit and his son Michael purchase land in 1852 in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. Anna passed away in New York City around July 1854. 

Michael Schmit, born on October 7, 1827 in Kayl Luxembourg, moved to the Chicago, Cook, Illinois around 1860. I have not found Michael in the 1860 US Census. His wife Magdalena with children Anna and Nicholas remained in Ozaukee County in 1860. He enlisted in the US Army on August 12, 1862 with the 82nd Illinois Infantry Company B. He mustered out June 9, 1865. Michael remained in Chicago with his family unit his death on March 2, 1914. He lived in the Bridgeport neighborhood.  While in Chicago his worked as a carpenter and operated a grocery store with his son Nicholas. Michael had three children with Magdalena, Anna 1851/1852, Nicholas 1859 and Frances Otila 1862. Michael is buried at St. Boniface Cemetery in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Anna Margaret Schmit, born on April 5, 1832 Kayl, Luxembourg, had two children with Johan Betz, Anna 1852 and Margaret 1854. It seems Anna Margaret died shortly after Margaret's birth in New York. 

Nicholas Schmit, born on April 27, 1834 in Kayl, Luxembourg, remained in Wisconsin. He married Mary Thul from Germany on April 26, 1871 at St Nicholas Church in Dacada, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. He died in Taylor County, Wisconsin on April 26, 1922. Nicholas and Mary had two children Veronica and Elisabeth. Both children died in infancy. Mary had children from a previous marriage. Nicholas is buried at Molitor Cemetery in Murat, Taylor, Wisconsin.

Catherine Schmit, born on April 26, 1836 in Kayl, Luxembourg, remained in Wisconsin. She married Johan Betz on September 23, 1854 in Port Washington, Wisconsin. This is the same Johan Betz that married Catherine's sister Anna in New York. Johan traveled to Wisconsin after Anna died in 1854.  Catherine had 10 children with Johan Betz, Katherine 1855, Margaret 1857, Nicholas 1858, Anna Margaret 1860, Catherine 1864, Michael 1867, Maria 1869, Francis 1872, and Mathias 1875. Catherine died on July 12, 1920 in Grafton, Wisconsin. Catherine is buried in St Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Grafton, Ozaukee, Wisconsin.

Younger Michael Schmit, born on February 12, 1841 in Kayl, Luxembourg, died on May 18, 1857 in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. He is buried next to his mother Maria at St. Nicholas Cemetery in Dacada, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. 

John Schmit, born on October 7, 1846 in Kayl Luxembourg, traveled to Chicago around 1870. He lived in the Bridgeport neighborhood (Wentworth and 28th Place) employed as a carpenter. He married Margaret Simon from Trier, Germany on September 23, 1879 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. They had three children, Agnes Anna 1880, Marie 1891, and John Joseph 1894. John Schmit died on August 13, 1924. He is buried at St Mary Cemetery in Evergreen Park, Cook, Illinois. 

Nicholas and Maria had a tenth child Katherine Schmit. Katherine was born on May 23, 1851 in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. It seems Katherine traveled to Chicago, Cook, Illinois with her father Nicholas around 1870. Her mother Maria (Redinger) Schmit died on March 21, 1869 in Ozaukee County Wisconsin. Maria is buried at St. Nicholas Cemetery in Dacada, Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Katherine Schmit married John Schmit around 1870 (still looking for the actual date). They had five children Margaret Mary 1875, Nicholas 1885, Johanna "Jennie" 1887, Mary Cecilia 1892, and Frances Theresa 1895. Katherine lived in the Bridgeport neighborhood close to her brothers John and Michael. Katherine died on February 18, 1928. She is buried at St. Mary Cemetery in Evergreen Park, Cook, Illinois.  

Nicholas Schmit died on September 17, 1873 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Nicholas is buried next to his son Michael at St. Boniface Cemetery in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. His grave is unmarked. Nicholas' name is engraved on his wife's, Maria, tombstone at St. Nicholas Cemetery in Dacada, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Most likely this engraving was done at the time of Maria's death.