I have a bit of a mystery on my hands. Lydia Frankenfield (b. Apr 19, 1811) married Michael Breidinger. They had the following children: Elizabeth (b. Mar 26, 1833), Leonard (b. Jan 22, 1836), Sidney (b. Jan 8, 1839) and Joseph (b. Dec 28, 1841). Two years after Joseph's birth (in 1843) Lydia Frankenfield gets remarried to Peter Metz.

In the 1850 census for Plainfield Township, Northampton County, Lydia and Peter Metz are living together with the following children: Leonard Breidinger (b. 1836), Lucinda Metz (b. 1836), David Metz (b. 1842) and Reuben Metz (b. 1846). On the surface it appears a widow and widower remarry, bringing their children together into their new relationship...

However, Lydia only brought 14-year-old Leonard with her. According to the same census, Sidney Breidinger (now 12 years old) was living in the home of Jonathan and Maria Ann Hahn. Little Joseph Breidinger (now 8 years old) was living alone with 67-year-old Mary Frankenfield. (I can only assume Mary Frankenfield was a relative of Lydia). I was wondering if anyone researching any of these surnames in Northampton County knows the details surrounding the break-up of this family. Did Lydia's first husband die, or was there divorce/desertion? How is Mary Frankenfield related to Lydia? Who are the Hahn family, and how did they end up with one of the Breidinger children?