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My Great-Grandfather “Nelson Plant” married my Great-Grandmother “Bertha Schmidt” around 1910. Both of my Great-Grandparents grew up in Howick Township, Huron County, Ontario, Canada where they lived and farmed for their entire lives. I am trying to find out more about my great grandmothers family and hoping to meet some Schmidt relatives who can help me with that side of my tree.
Here is what I know:
In the book “The Lines of Howick,” Bertha Plant (Schmidt) is said to have grown up on Concession 1, lot 17, which at the time was farmed by Jacob and Elizabeth Schmidt. I have found further evidence that indicate she was not actually from Lot 17, but lot 14 which, at the time of her birth, was owned by “Christian C. Schmidt.” I don’t yet know if there is a connection between these two Schmidt families, but I would like to. My information comes from 1 obituary and 3 censuses which offer some proof, and some confusion.
Obituary: St. Thomas Times, St. Thomas Ontario, March 11, 1947; Page 8, Column 5:
Died - Mrs Charles Dietz, nee Elizabeth Schmidt, 73 years, Mar 9, daughter of Christian Schmidt; mother of Victor Dietz, Mrs H. H. Broderick, Mrs C. E. Satchell and Miss Laura Dietz; sister of Charles Schmidt, Mrs Sophia Schmidt and Mrs Nelson Plant. (My GG Mother)
On finding this I checked the Ontario census records for 1881, 1891, and 1901. Here is where the confusion starts:
1881 Census of Ontario reveals a “Christian Smith” 33 year old Farmer living next door to William Lynn (the confirmed owner of lot 13 (next to lot 14; owned by Christian C. Schmidt)). Christians wifes name is quite legible and seems to be “Ronkak”. Both Christian and his wife list their birth country as Germany, religion as Lutheran, and all or their children were born in Ontario. Listed children are Elizabeth age 8, Lydia age 6, Sophia age 4 and Minnie age 2.
1891 Census of Ontario reveals a “60 year old” Christian Smith and his 56 year old wife Jane living next door to William Lynn (I wonder if these are Christian’s parents). Their religion is Lutheran and their birthplace is listed as Germany. All children are born in Ontario and they include: Mary age 11, Annie age 9, Charles age 7, Hannah age 4, and Pamilla age 3.
1901 Census of Ontario has 52 year old “Christian Schmidt” and his 52 year old wife “Sophia” living next door to William Lynn. Christian came to Canada in 1855 and Sophia in 1864. Children are listed with birth dates:
Sophia: 13 May 1878 age 23 (matches 1881 census)
Minnie: 8 April 1879 age 22 (matches 1881 census and could possibly be “Mary” in 1891)
Annie: 24 July 1882 age 19 (matches 1891 census)
Challie (Charlie?) (male): 10 August 1884 age 16 (could match 1891 Census)
Bertha (my GG Mother): 18 October 1887 age 14 (birthdate would indicate this child might be Hannah from 1891 census) (Her tombstone shows her birth year as 1886)
Hannah: 30 September 1889 age 11 (would roughly coincide with Pamilla in 1891)
Arthur: 18 November 1894 age 6 .
I believe my best next step is to find “Schmidt” relatives with more knowledge than I to help me with this side of my family tree. Please contact me if you can help.
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