My Most Wanted Ancestor
My g grandfather on my father's side. Everyone that might know anything has passed away. His name was John Schmitz, born in Germany date unknown. He was married (have a photo of her but no name, signed "mama") and had children, my grandfather, Joseph Henry Schmitz/Smith b 13 Mar or Sep 1884 (OH or PA) and perhaps/at least one daughter that my grandmother said ran away to CA to be in movies (probably just a family tale.)
Research & Records
The only document which substantiates his name and one of the places he lived is a single page Naturalization Certificate dated 24 Mar 1890, Youngstown, OH. I wrote Youngstown, the only information they had was the same. Believe they lived in PA, possible census Allegheny 1900 and Pittsburgh 1910 but no proof it is the right family. I have not even been able to substantiate date of death for my grandfather so it has been hard finding info on this family. Joseph married Hazel Louise Thompson sometime before 1915 (my father, Robert Clayton Smith, was born in Philadelphia 13 Aug 1915). My father's parents divorced when he was 5 yrs and he was not close to them - he has passed away. My mother remembers very little about them. Joseph remarried to a woman named Pauline and was possibly living in Philadelphia. I am on Ancestry.com and have combed many web sites searching for possible clues, also posted on forums and have found little to help my search.
Advice
- I want to know so much about this man and his family - his date of birth, where in Germany was he born, who his parents might have been, his wife's name and date of birth, how many children were in the family besides my grandfather and what were their names and dates of birth, do I have any living relatives from that side of my family?
