The New Jersey branch has traced its ancestry back to a Hermann Kuhlenschmidt who was born in Berlin, Germany in 1862. This ancestor arrived in the United States in 1885. It was not until the mid-1930's that the New Jersey and the Evansville branches became aware of each other's existence. This occurred when Alfred Kuhlenschmidt of the Indiana groups discovered an Edward Kuhlenschmidt in the Cranford, New Jersey phone directory.
Edward provided the following information. Herman Kuhlenschmidt and his brother Richard both emigrated to the United States and left behind in Germany two sisters. Both brothers lived in Cranford, New Jersey where they were painters and decorators. Richard Kuhlenschmidt had two children whose names we do not know. Herman Kuhlenschmidt had five children, two sons and three daughters. These children were Edward, Harry, Louise, and Claire. We do not know the name of the third daughter. Edward, who provided the information, was a retired fire captain. He and his wife had no children. His brother Harry and wife had one daughter and in turn two grandchildren. Louise (?-1960) had three daughters, one son, and six grandchildren. Claire (?-1960) had no children. The third sister had one son who lost his life during World War II while serving in the U.S. Navy. The other branches of Kuhlenschmidts would appreciate contact from any descendents of the Cranford, New Jersey branch.
