Marine Firemen, Oilers’ and Water-Tenders’ Union of the Atlantic and Gulf

Organized in 1902 and first reorganized in 1908, it became a member of the Atlantic District of the International Seaman’s Union of America, and is subject to their jurisdiction. The ‘Certificate of Membership’ issued by them include a personal description of the individual. Some members were part of the Merchant Marine fleet. In 1913 it reorganized for a 3^rd time. Membership dues were $5.00 for initiation, and $2.00 for each two-month membership, and individual wallet sized receipts were issued for each pay period.  These payments and dates were also posted into the members personal account book. Seaman’s salaries varied from $45 to $80 a month. The membership book had to be carried on their person at all times when not on duty.

WORLD WAR I DRAFT REGISTRATION

The Registration Certificates identify name, location of registration and date. As with the example shown, it was carried for several years in a wallet, and is barely readable.

WWI RECRUITING SERVICE CERTIFICATE

The United States Shipping Board issued certificates for service performed by volunteers manning ships in the New England Coal Trade.  They only identify the person’s name and the position served.  Helps to identify the job held.

WWII WAR NECESSITY CERTIFICATE

Issued by the Office of Defense Transportation, it provided for the authorization drive a commercial vehicle during the war period. The allotments of fuel were specified, along with the annual permitted mileage. This particular certificate was registered at a relative’s address, and not the actual farm. This was used in conjunction with gas coupons.

BIRTH & BAPTISM RECORD FOR JOHANN SIMON SCHUNCK

(Walsheim, Saarland, Germany)

1749: Johann Simon Schunck, geb. [born] den * May.; get. [bapt.] den 7 ejusdem [same month] [son of] Wilhelm Schunck und Anna Catharina [remainder unreadable] [witnesses] Nicolaus [remainder unclear]

Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche Walsheim (BA. Zweibrücken) Kirchenbuch, 1704-1885, L.D.S. microfilm #0193213, no page number.

FRAKTUR for JOHANN NICOLAUS KIMMEL (1728-1804)

Printed listing of children belonging to Nicolaus Kimmel (and wife Susannah Weber) created in the 1780’s and held at the Markham District Historical Museum in Markham, Ontario, Canada. (Fraktur is a stylized printing of German Script, generally expressed in various point [pt.] sizes same as used for the American fonts, and probably created for display purposes)

Image provided to Tim Kimmel from Steve Marshall of Orilla, Ontario

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS FOR JOHANNA HOTTMANN EMIGRATION (1834)

Letters from the Mayor of Grunbach, Town Council Meeting minutes, and Letter Statement from her guardian. Johanna was 14 years old and sought permission to travel to Philadelphia. There was much discussion about her travel.

Information provided through links to Baden-Wurtenberg, Germany Research site

LISTINGS OF EMIGRANTS FROM OBERAMT SCHORNDORF (1829)

Listing of person, place of origin, destination and dates of departure. Encluded are other samples of lists and advertisements that portray German script and printing during the same era.

Information provided through links to Baden-Wurtenberg, Germany Research site

SIGNATURE SAMPLES OF GERMAN PERSONS (1810)

Signature examples from several persons, along with some annotated text. Good place to start to understand the writing capabilities of literate persons.

Information provided through links to Genealogienetz German Research site.

BIRTH RECORD IN PARISH REGISTRY FROM AUSTRIAN MONARCHY (1812)

Excellent example of a birth record that depicts much detailed information about the individual and the associated lineages.

Information provided through links to Genealogienetz German Research site.

DEATH RECORD ENTERED IN ‘EPHRATA CLOISTER’ RECORD (1768-1770)

Brother Keenan, member of the Ephrata Cloister in Pennsylvania, maintained a diary (Record Book) listing the deaths of their members. The Ephrata Cloister is a radical offshoot of the German Reformed Church (Dunkard Baptists) whose members were completely obsessed with “Spiritual Awakening” and their personal interpretation of what the Old & New Testaments of the Bible really meant. Companion lists of memberships, births and marriages are also contained within these and similar files. The true names of the Brothers are not always presented, but often refer to their assumed name provided at time of baptism.

FLYTTNINGSBEVIS for MARIA PETTERSDOTTER

Travel permit issued by the Lutheran Church in Frykerud.  This is an equivalent of a Passport, and allowed the person to leave the parish church and Sweden. The document is supposed to be surrendered to an affiliated church at the destination. However, this was the only link to Maria’s past, so it was kept folded and carried on her person throughout her life in America.  Easy to read if one is well versed in Swedish, impossible if not!

Translation

Holy communion was taken on September 18, 1889. On April 19, 1890 granted permission to leave the church and Sweden, to travel to America via this 'Certificate of Moving' document (generally referred to as a 'Flyttningsberg'), created by the Lutheran church clergy in Arvika. This document attested to the fact that her christened name was 'Maria Pettersdotter', that she had been vaccinated for smallpox, was a 'free' woman (unmarried) and available for marriage.