LANGENBACH Surname

The original spelling for this family name was LANGENBACH. Early 18th

century maps of Germany show a number of towns named Langenbach in the Rhineland region. The people from these towns were known as Langenbacher's.

The German dictionary shows lang as meaning long or tall, and bach as meaning stream or brook.

Early recorded documents in America use the spelling LANGENBACH, or a slight

variation: LANG a BACH or LANG e BACH. This includes ship arrival documents,

and early Pennsylvania church and civil records, such as George Paul LANGENBACH (1753) and John Jost LANGEBACH (1772). Michael's surname

appeared as LANGENBACH in the early church and county records obtained at the Easton Public Library, Easton, PA.

Over time, several variations of the spelling have come into common use by some family lines. LONGenbach is common in the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania area,

with a Longenbach-Billheimer reunion held there annually since the early 1920's.

Other common forms include LangenBAUGH, LONGenBAUGH, LONGABAUGH,

etc.

Some family branches (including the Jacob Tilman line) have maintained the

"original" spelling, LANGENBACH.

Michael Langenbach attended communion in 1772

1779 Tax assessment, Moore Twp., lists Michael Langenbach as single freeman.

1830 census, Moore Twp., Northampton County lists Michael Langenbach as "Head of Family" and age "between 70 and 80".

Paul, Henry, Michael and Thomas are brothers

All were born in 1750's or 1760's (from church and tax records)

Michael was administrator of Paul's estate, 1790 (I have copy)

Michael was at communion with Thomas, 1787

Michael was sponsor of Henry's daughter, 1785

Thomas was sponsor of Henry's daughter, 1787

PARENTS OF MICHAEL

Evidence revealed in "Pennsylvania Births, Philadelphia County, 1644-1765" by John T. Humphrey further strengthened my original belief that Michael Langenbach's father was GEORGE PAUL LANGENBACH. The following facts led to this conclusion:

Michael was born , between 1755-1760

George Paul Langenbach arrived in America in 1753, Ship "Richard and Mary"

Michael and Henry (Heinrich) were closely related and possible brothers.

Humphrey's book records the birth of a son HEINRICH, 16 August, 1758 to George Paul and wife, Elizabeth. This was entered into the records of ST. Michael's Lutheran Church, Philadelphia. In those days, births were recorded at St. Michaels from other counties as well as Philadelphia.

With this evidence that Heinrich's father was George Paul, and assuming Michael and Heinrich were brothers, this pointed to George Paul as the father of Michael.

Baptismal records for Friesburg Emanuel Lutheran Church, Friesburg, NJ, obtained in October, 2005, confirmed the fact that George Paul and Elizabeth were the parents of Michael. It is apparent that the family lived in NJ before moving to Moore Twp.

MICHAEL’S WIFE: Catharine Miller

For years I had believed Michael’s wife was Catharine MILLER. This was confirmed with the location of Christian Miller’s will, Easton. The will, dated 25 August, 1807, listed his daughter, Catharine “wife of Michael Langenbach”.