The Smith Family Home Page

My great grandfather was Michael Smith and he was born in Newark, N.J. in October 1845 or October in the latter 1840's. He was the son of Irish immigrants whose names were Peter & Ann Smith. He was a Civil War veteran. His wife Esther Braughal was also first generation Irish American born in Newark, N.J. as well. Her father's name was Thomas Braughal. My father's maternal grandfather was John Halbig, Sr., who emigrated from Machtilshausen, Germany (Bavaria) about 1880 or 1881. He settled in West Orange, N.J. His wife Barbara Koss, pronounced Koehs, was also from Bavaria, town of Feuerbach, and emigrated after him in 1880 or 81 to New Jersey with son Henry.

My Mom's paternal grandfather was Hermann Kluge. He emigrated from Germany in 1861 and settled in Brooklyn, N.Y. His wife Clara Meinigmann was born in Schoeppingen, Westphalia. She emigrated to the U.S. around 1866. My mother's maternal grandfather was William Mulholland. He was from Belfast Northern Ireland and emigrated in 1870 to New York City. He settled in Manhattan. His wife was Sarah Boyle and she emigrated from County Monaghan, Ireland to New York later and arrived October 11, 1870.

Later my Mom's father, Harry Kluge, moved his family from Brooklyn to Westfield, N.J. in 1924.

My wife's maiden name was Barkalow. Her parents were from Elizabeth, N.J. They had an ancestor who was a Captain during the War of 1812. His name was Christopher Barkalow. My wife's mother's maiden name was Vackner.

If you have any information on any of my ancestors please contact me. I will gladly share any information concerning my ancestors.