Birth and Baptismal Certificate for Sarah Ann Straub, circa 1842

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Artifact Overview

Early German immigrants created decorative keepsakes to commemorate important family events. These documents, known as Fraktur, usually incorporated intricate lettering, elaborate borders and colorful drawings of birds, flowers, hearts or other stylized figures. This hand-colored Fraktur records the birth and baptism of Sarah Ann Straub from Union County, Pennsylvania, in 1842.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Fraktur (Document)

Date Made

circa 1842

Creator Notes

Made by Francis Portzline in Snyder or Union County, Pennsylvania.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

62.15.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Ink
Watercolor (Paint)

Technique

Watercolor painting (Technique)

Color

Yellow (Color)
Red
Green
Blue

Dimensions

Height: 19.688 in (Frame)
Width: 17.188 in (Frame)
Height: 15.25 in
Width: 12.375 in

Inscriptions

Geburt und Tauf schein. | Disen beiden Ehegatten, als, Peter Straub und seine | Eheliche hausfrau Elisabeth eine Geborne Kerstaterin ist eine | Tochter zur we[l]t Geboren den 20 ten julius um 10 uhr abends im | Jahr unsers Herrn Jesu 1842 diese Tochter ist Geboren in Chap- | man taunschip Union Caunty im Staat Pennsylvania und ist | Getauft worden von dem Ehrwurdigen Prediger Ellemeyer | und erhilt den namen Sahra [sic] Ann die taufzeugen sind | Jonathan Straub & Elisabeth Rhein [...]
Birth and Baptismal Certificate for Sarah Ann Straub, circa 1842