( If there was any doubt as to the German roots of the Bilger family, these beautiful documents attest to that heritage and to special events in the lives of earlier generations! )

So just what is fraktur?  Fraktur describes all of the following, first a style or type of writing, second an art form, and, third a stylized recording of special events in the lives of ordinary people of German descent.

First, the style or type of writing evolved from the practice of manually adding extra swirls, curves or scrolls to ordinary documents that were first printed mechanically.  This practice, dating back to the Middle Ages, is referred to as "illuminating".  Illuminated documents were created in Europe primarily for legal or religious purposes while the American adaptation bore a much more personal touch and individualized style.

Second, an art form that is not limited to just documents.  You see "fraktur" anytime you see colorful, and highly stylized birds, horses, floral and geometric designs decorating just about anything whether it is a hope chest or the more easily recognized hex symbols painted on barns.

Third, and more importantly, the recording of events significant enough to warrant the time and effort to create documents worthy of that event.  Fraktur was brought to America by those early German and Swiss immigrants and began quite modestly as fairly plain documents as they had been in Europe, except it was used for personal uses such as recording Geburts und Taufschein (birth and baptismal certificates).  It is this last item which makes them so valuable to genealogists as they provide many details that may be lacking in other records such as a mothers maiden name.

By the 1790's to the mid 1830's, considered the 'Golden Age' of Fraktur, these once simple documents became more elaborate and colorful with birds, flowers, animals, trees, vines, urns and biblical images and themes carefully hand drawn and painted.  Those creating these documents were the owner themselves, family members, ministers, school masters or talented individuals who were compensated for their work.

These documents were not limited to just birth certificates, rather there were Vorschrift or the 'writing example' showing the letters of the alphabet in both upper and lower case and numerals for students to refer to as they practiced writing them.  There was the Haus Segan or 'house blessing' hung prominently in early homes which invoked Gods protection over the home and it's occupants.  'Bookplates' - which clearly and beautifully identified the owner of the precious few books which they owned.  Bilder or 'pictures' that were often found preserved in family bibles of birds or floral designs drawn by schoolmasters as a reward to a student.  'Family registers'- listing statistics on the family such as marriages, births and deaths.

The tradition of creating these various documents declined with the advent of commercial printing of many of these documents and with the influence of public schools having standardized and far simpler writing until it ceased to be a major influence in the 1850's.

One of these documents is a Dunkmal or 'memorial' to Johannes Bilger who was born: 'geboren 11 Februar 1784 in Rockland Taunschip, Berks County', married: 'Berhenrath sich mit Catharina Neumann' and died: 'Starb in Walker Taunschip, Juniata County den 14th September, 1831' These documents while beautiful also can be another source of genealogical information as well as it also tell the number and gender of children that were born to the marriage as well as the mother's maiden name.

A Geburts und Taufschein was created for Joseph, son of Freiderich Meiser and Margaret (Pilger/Bilger) who was born November 12 1827 in Chapman Township, Union County (now Snyder County) Pennsylvania.  Baptized March 30, 1828 by Reverend Jacob Schmidt in the Lutheran church.

Haus Segan an important element of the Pennsylvania German farmstead where the Almanac determined all aspects of farming and the Bible determined all aspects of behavior.  The house blessing implored the three members of the Trinity to protect the house, barn and other building, land, family and animals from all forms of harm but especially from fire.  Also that each member of the family be strong and industrious and live in peace with each other.  Even protection of the plants from the last frost was sought.  And finally that the Holy Spirit would dwell within and every member of the family would be an heir of heaven.