Among of the most enduring cultural contributions of Pennsylvania Germans of the late 1700s and 1800s were highly decorated birth and baptismal certificates, known as "taufschein." Originating in Berks County, PA -- where Friedrich and Eva Maria (Weber) Meinert Sr. settled in the 1730s -- the art form is highly prized today for originality and color as well as valuable genealogical information about the child and his or her parents and sponsors.

This taufschein was commissioned by the Meinerts' great-grandson and his wife James and Mary (Bernhardt) Fegely of Longswamp Township, Berks County for their son David "Wilson" Fegely. Born on May 30, 1851 in nearby Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County, Wilson was baptized at age four months, on Sept. 25, 1851, by Rev. Jeremias Schindel of the Lutheran wing of Solomon’s Church. David and Sallie (Trollinger) Hertzog stood for the infant as his sponsors.

As a teenager, Wilson received formal religious instruction and was confirmed by Rev. D.K. Humbert in the Longswamp Church.

This taufschein measures 16¼ inches by 13¾ inches and was pre-printed in black ink, as a fill-in-the blank form, by Plumer, Butch and Co. of Allentown. It was hand-colored by the artist using decorative figures of angels, an eagle and birds using gold, red and green watercolors. The layout not only includes a central rectangular space with Wilson's hand-lettered birth and baptism particulars, but also smaller rectangular spaces above to the left and right, and below, with pre-printed inspirational writings. Approximate translations into English are provided below, with thanks to Linda Marker -- of the family of Frederick J. and Delilah (Faidley) Younkin -- for her work on the translation, applying her knowledge of the oddities of Pennsylvania German dialect.

Text in the central rectangle: The Birth Mr James Fegely And his wife Mari One born Bernhardt Is a son born the 30th day May in the year of our Lord 1851 This Son is born in Lower Macun- gie Township in Lecha [Lehigh] County In State Pennsylvanian, North America, is baptized and given the name David Wilson The 25th day September in year Our Lord 1851 by Mr. Minister Schindel Sponsors were: David Herzog and his wife Sally, born Drollinger Allentown, Pa. Birth and (?) by Plumer, Butch and Co.

Text in top left rectangle: Birth and When we are born    Is from first life occurs Until the earth feels the grave    Just a measured step O with every eyesight    Look back And we find with every year    All ripe for the lodging stretcher.    [Coffin?]   Text in top right rectangle: Baptism Certificate O! Who knows in which hour    Our the last voice (?) is heard (?) Then God has with his (?)    His human still deprived! Who now his house well ordered    Goes with friends from the world because the security, on the other hand    When to die excites.

Text in bottom rectangle: I am baptised! I remain bound Through my life with my God So I speak with joyful tongue In Cross, in Sorrow, Fear, and Roth* I am baptised! I am happy, The joy remains my emiglich*! I am baptized in your Name, God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost! I am paid for by your Name, To Bolt (?), that means sanctified, O! what a happiness was mine. Lord, let me be His. I am baptized! If I die now What harm does that feeling have? I know my fatherland and heritage, That I have in heaven with God: Is ready for me after my death. Heaven’s celebration above, might mean death. * These German words do not directly translate.