Birth and Baptismal Certificate for Elisabeth Becker, 1790

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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. By the late 1700s, some Fraktur had printed elements. This Fraktur from 1790 commemorates the birth and baptism of a "little daughter" named Elisabeth from Pennsylvania.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Fraktur (Document)

Date Made

1790

Creator Notes

Decorated by Friederich Speyer. Possibly made in Berks, Lancaster, or Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

75.149.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Ink
Watercolor (Paint)

Technique

Watercolor painting (Technique)
Printing (Process)

Color

Red
Green
Blue

Dimensions

Height: 13.125 in
Width: 16.125 in

Inscriptions

Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als Michael Becker und seiner | ehlichen Hausfrau Maria gebohrne [illegible] | ist ein Tocherlein zur Welt gebohren, als Elisabeth | ist zur Welt gebohren im Jahr unsers HErrn JEsu 1790 den 6ten[?] | Tag [illegible] um [blank] Uhr [blank] im Zeichen de | Die Tauf Zeugen waren Johannes Acker u[nd] Eva Kleinin [illegible] namens | Elisabeth gegeben. [...] Diese Elisabeth ist gebohren und getauft in America, im Staat | Pennsylvanien in Northampton Caunty in Lohill Taunschip [...]
Birth and Baptismal Certificate for Elisabeth Becker, 1790