Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur
Language: German
Weiser Number: 503
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Wove paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Geburts= und Taufschein
Diesen \ beiden Ehegatten, \ Als: Johannes Wetzel \ und seiner ehelichen Hausfrau Heddi \ eine geborne Esther Steffi, \ ist eine Tochter geboren worden, den 5ten \ January im Jahr unsers HErrn, 1834 \ Diese Tochter ist geboren in Lanschwam \ Taunschip Berks Caunty, \ im Staat Pennsylvanien, \ in Nord=Amerika, ist getauft worden und \ erhielt den Namen Lisette \ den 9ten März \ im Jahr unsers Herrn 1834 von Hn. \ Helfrig. Taufzeugen waren \ Jonathan Steffi und seine Frau \ Susanna.

[In lower center]
Ich bin getauft, ich steh’ im Bunde, \ Durch meine Tauf mit meinem Gott! \ So sprech’ ich stets mit frohem Munde, \ in Kreuz, in Trübsal, Angst und Noth. \ Ich bin getauft, des freu ich mich, \ Die Freude bleibt mir ewiglich.

Ich bin getauft in deinem Namen, \ Gott Vater, Sohn und heiliger Geist! \ Ich bin gezählt zu Deinem Saamen, \ Zum Volk, das Dir geheiligt heißt. \ O! welch ein Glück ward dadurch mein, \ Herr, laß mich dessen würdig sein!

Ich bin getauft! ob ich gleich sterbe, \ Was schadet mir das kühle Grab? \ Ich weiß mein Vaterland und Erbe, \ Das ich bey Gott im Himmel hab: \ Nach meinem Tod ist mir bereit, \ Des Himmels Freud und Feier=Kleid.

[on bottom]
Allentaun, Pa. gedruckt und zu haben bei A. und W. Blumer.

Translation:

Birth and Baptismal Certificate
To these two married people, namely: Johannes Wetzel and his lawful wife Heddi, a born Esther Steffi, a daughter was born into the world, the 5^th January in the year of our Lord, 1834. This daughter was born in Longswamp Township, Berks County, in the state of Pennsylvania, in North America, was baptized and received the name Lisette the 9^th March in the year of our Lord 1834 from Mr. Helfrig. Sponsors were Jonathan Steffi and his wife Susanna.

[in lower center]
I am baptized, I stand united with my God through my baptism. I therefore always speak joyfully in hardship, sadness, fear and need. I am baptized, that’s a joy for me. The joy lasts eternally.

I am baptized in your name, God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I am counted as one of your seeds, to a people that you blessed. O! What fortune for me; Lord, let me be worthy of it!

I am baptized! and when I die, how can the cool grave hurt me? I know my fatherland and legacy that I will have with God in Heaven. After death, Heaven’s garment of joy and celebration is prepared for me.

[on bottom]
Printed and to be had from A. and W. Blumer.

Category: Birth and Baptismal Certificate (Geburts und Taufschein)
Media Type: Letterpress Prints
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-lettered; hand-colored; printed form. The central text printed in Fraktur with blanks infilled by hand is in a decorated rectangular frame in the center of the document. The verse is within a frame in the lower center of the page. The main text is flanked by two large inward-facing angels with lyres, one holding a wreath and the other with a bird. A spread-winged eagle, holding a banner in its beak is in the upper center. In each lower corner are two birds perched on a tree with leaves and fruits. The entire page is enclosed within a decorative border.

Associated Names: Wetzel, Lisette
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1997) vol. 1, p. 175.

Secondary Place Town/Township: Geographic Coverage State/Province:Pennsylvania
Geographic Coverage City/Town/Township:Longswamp Township
Geographic Coverage Note:Based on location of birth
Geographic Coverage Region/County:Berks

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of printshop
Region/County:Lehigh
City/Town/Township:Allentown
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1834
Image Dimensions Width: 42 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 139
Creator Name: Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener
Alexander Blumer (1806-1842) - Printer/Publisher
William Blumer (1811-1884) - Printer/Publisher