Background

Smalberger.com is an online, browsable register of the Smalberger family, tracing our roots back to the Schmalberger line from Lohrhaupten, Germany, in 1677.

Today, the family’s largest presence is in South Africa, with branches spread across the world. Some related lines still use the original German spelling Schmalberger, while others—particularly in the United States—appear as Smallberger, Smalbergher and similar variations. In time, I hope we can uncover more information about the earlier Schmalberger branches prior to 1677, to build a richer and older family history.

The aim of this project is to maintain an up-to-date family tree for current and future generations. Die Smalberger Familieregister, written by Henry C. Hopkins in 1962, forms the foundation of this work. My hope is that this website becomes a living, evolving record—enriched by contributions from family members like you. These might include missing biographical details, photographs, life stories, or even discoveries of previously unknown branches. It is up to us, the present generation, to preserve this information and carry the legacy forward.

Please explore, join in, and feel free to contribute. Every piece of information helps.

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Lohrhaupten, Germany:

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The Church:

This is the church in Lohrhaupten, Germany, where Johann Heinrich Schmalberger rests. He is the son of Johannes Schmalberger.

This reads:

Johann
Heinrich Schmalberger,
the
builder of this church in the year
1765,
the faithful shepherd of this congregation
for 57 years.
Born on 4 May 1723, died on 11 July 1807
Lohrhaupten, 20 July 1841
His grateful godson
Johann Heinrich,
 school teacher from Kleinfeller.

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From here:

As we look back on this small church in Lohrhaupten and the life of Johann Heinrich Schmalberger, we are reminded that every family story begins somewhere. From this village, our branches have reached across continents and generations, shaping the lives we live today.

May this page be a quiet moment of connection with those who came before us, and an invitation to continue building the record for those still to come.

Thank you for being part of the story.

If you have any questions or comments, you are welcome to contact me at johan(at)smalberger.com

Best regards,

Johan Smalberger