Official-Schmidt-Family-Crest-High-Definition (1300 pixels high)

Our Mission

Preserving the family history of the Schmidt family of northeast Hesse. We seek to reconnect all descendants of Hans Schmidt (1594-1680), the shepherd of Nentershausen and Blankenbach.

Our Story

The Hans Schmidt Family Association is the largest German-heritage family association in the world. It was born out of the 2016 Schmidt Family Reunion, which took place at the Events Center in Spencer, Iowa. On July 30, 2016, our event broke the record for the largest reunion ever held by any family in the state of Iowa, the second largest in the United States, and the fourth largest in the world.

OUR STRUCTURE

Our association is a nonprofit association. We are recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) educational charity. Your donations to our association are tax-deductible.

Meet our Leadership

The following family members serve as the 2022-2026 officers of the Hans Schmidt Family Association.

Josiah Schmidt

Josiah Schmidt

President & Treasurer

Josiah is a historian and genealogist based in St Louis, Missouri. He has spent many years researching our Schmidt family.

Josiah's branch of the tree

Sandy Schmidt's headshot

Sandy Schmidt

Vice President

Sandy is a professional historian and author, formerly with the Congressional Cemetery. Sandy grew up in Minnesota and now lives in Rock Hall, Maryland.

Sandy's branch of the tree

Katelynn Schmidt Chou treasurer

Katelynn Schmidt Chou

Secretary

Katelynn is an English instructor based in Emmetsburg, Iowa, where she currently lives with her husband, Brian Chou, and their three children.

Katelynn's branch of the tree

Additional Roles

Genealogy Research Committee

This committee consists of family history researchers who work together to uncover new discoveries and solve mysteries related to our Schmidt family history.

Denise Lindemann | Humboldt, Iowa | view branch
Josiah Schmidt | Saint Louis, Missouri | view branch
Sandy Schmidt | Rock Hall, Maryland | view branch

Get Involved

Would you like to contribute photos, memories, or artifacts to our family history collection? Want to lend your talents by serving on a committee? Care to contribute funds to our history research or charitable endeavors?