A Genealogical Exhibition at the Hall of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania

A Genealogical Exhibition at the Hall of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania HELEN HUTCHISON WOODROOFE rlIFIE GENEALOGICAL EXHIBITION created by John H. Platt, I head librarian, and the library staff of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, is a most remarkable translation of the science of Genealogy into an interesting visual experience. Titled "Who Do You Think You Are?"', the exhibition is made up of material from the collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, including contributions from members and friends of both societies. It is an excellent, innovative and exciting display, divided into three basic categories. The first, Tools of the Search, fills many display cases with actual examples of the many resources used in a genealogical search: a Philadelphia atlas showing property owners in Germantown in 1876; a Philadelphia ward map of 1854 which can be used as an adjunct to the 1850 census. One display follows the name Enoch Blackman through the index to the 1850 census, on to the actual census record for the Richmond District in Philadelphia, and the listing of his name in the Philadelphia City Directory in 1856 which gives his address in the Richmond District. To illustrate the use of the American Genealogical Index (AGI) a display case is set up to follow the references cited for one name, Charles Harris, through fifteen printed genealogies. Each book is opened to the page dealing with a man of this name, making it evident that there were many Charles Harrises. More tools of research are needed to find which one fits the genealogical puzzle, Examples of possible sources are shown in other display cases: county histories, nineteenth century midwife records, Philadelphia marriage records, docket books of a justice of the peace, a book of yellow fever deaths in Philadelphia in 1793, 1797 and 1798, abstracts of wills, "ear-mark" 47 48 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine lists, death records, burial ground registers, as welt as the registers of funeral directors. Actual examples of objects that can provide many vital genealogical facts provide a colorful assemblage, with a genealogical sampler of the Bryant family of Maine in the early 1800s; a Friendship Quilt made of ninety squares each with the name of a friend inscribed in a circle, [the quilt was presented to Miss Elizabeth Coulston by Penrose Warner of Philadelphia on the 20th of March 184.3] a large Quaker nuptial certificate for Samuel Hughes, jr. and Lydia Stalker, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 2 December 1789; a Taufschein records the marriage of Johannes and Catherine Koller on 3 November 1792 in Macungie Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and there are various examples of tombstone rubbings. A fascinating and most dramatic display features a large memorial brass rubbing c. 1603 of Richard and Elizabeth (Twyne) Brooke. [The rubbing can be seen in the photograph accompanying this article,] He died in 1593 and she died in 1599. The rubbing was done by Robert Brooke in 1973 at the parish church, of Whitchurch, Hampshire, England. These were his thirteenth grandparents through two lines. The first American ancestor in this line was Robert Brooke, (1602-1655), who came to Charles County, Maryland in 1650. To further illustrate this family line there is a large colorful genealogical chart tracing the family line from Charlemagne through twenty-nine ffenerations. Various coats-of-arms are included on the chart. One display case shows the memorabilia of various hereditary and patriotic societies, including a fine porcelain Export bowl made for The Society of the Cincinnati; it is decorated with a portrait of George Washington. Also shown are the insignia and medallions of many societies. A second category in the exhibition is titled One Man's Search, and is a graphic illustration of the genealogical search made by Jeffrey N. Bumbrey. Mr. Bumbrey became interested in the search for his family's roots in 1951, when he was twelve years old. Starting with records in King George County in the Tidewater area of Virginia, he was able over the years to construct a seven-generation family chart. Examples of the actual records he used are mounted in the exhibit: wills, lists of negro office holders, emancipation deeds, marriage regis'The title is by courtesy of Suzanne Hilton whose book, Who Do You Think You Are, Digging for Your Fcinilly Roots, was published by Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 1976. A Genealogical Exhibition 49 50 The Pennsylvania Genealogica Magazine tern, original Bible records, and many tintypes and family photographs, It is an inspiring testament to a difficult family search. Results of Many is the title of the third section of the exhibition. In this display there are examples of the published works of many members of The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. Included in this group are interesting artifacts that relate to the families involved. Another display case shows representative published genealogies, beginning with one for the Sharples family printed in 1816 probably the first printed for a Pennsylvania family. Other examples run from simple reproductions of typescript to expensive volumes with handtooled leather bindings, and lavish full-colored plates of coats-of-arms, with steel engravings of the family members. This unusual exhibition may well be a 'first', certainly it deserves great credit for the manner in which it interprets a rather difficult subject. It required a great deal of knowledge and imagination to assemble so authentic and instructive a presentation. The exhibition will continue at the Hall of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania throughout the summer. I heartily urge you to come to see it and benefit from this most rewarding experience.