I have begun mapping out all the Smith/Schmidt's that I can find for Allen, East Allen, Moore, Bushkill, and Lehigh Townships, Northampton Co. PA between 1740 and 1870. I may also include Macungie Twp. in Lehigh Co. as there seem to be links with the Smith/Schmidt's there as well. In addition to census and tax records, I am using baptism, marriage, confirmation, communion, death and burial records from the following churches: Salem Evangelical and Lutheran (Moorestown), Emmanuel Union (Emmanuelsvile), Zion Stone Church (near Kreidersville), Dryland Evangelical and Lutheran Church and St. Paul's at Indianland. I am also using information from wills and estate settlements, genealogies, and any other source I can find. I am not including at this point the Smith/Schmidt's from the Bethlehem or Easton area.

There are not that many Smith/Schmidt families in this area during this time period. I have about 300 in my data base. The area was settled by German immigrants so the surname was Schmidt or Schmitt before about 1800. The transition to Smith takes place between 1800 and 1860. I am hoping in this way to make connections within and between generations of Smith/Schmidt's (many connections are already made) and in that way figure out which are part of my Smith/Schmidt ancestors and which are not. At this point I am 90% sure that Henry Smith/Heinrich Schmidt b. 1772-d. 1830 (wife Eva) of Lehigh Twp. (buried at Indianland Cemetery) is my direct ancestor.

Among the early Smith/Schmidt's that I have on record include Hans Jurig Schmidt (d. 1756) and children (all of whom seem to have moved to Westmoreland Co. by 1780), Lorentz Schmidt and sons Johan Georg (Regina), Johan Adam and Johan Andre, John Peter Smith (b.1743), Elizabeth Smith (1743- 1827), Jacob Smith, Joseph Smith, Peter Smith d. 1771 (Anna Barbara), Peter Schmidt 1786-1839 (Salome), Johannes Schmidt (Ana Rosina) among others.

I would appreciate any information on Smith/Schmidt's that others may have for these townships during that time period. I would be happy to share my mapping in exchange and maybe together we can build a complete picture of these families.