Frakturs

Revolutionary War veterans and their families submitted hundreds of documents, including birth and marriage records, to support claims for pensions based on their service to the nation. Even family trees were saved as evidence. Some of these family histories are beautifully illustrated with decorative elements, whether printed or hand-drawn. One type of illustrated family record, commonly bearing bird and leaf motifs, is the fraktur. Created by and for members of the Pennsylvania Dutch culture, frakturs typically were written in German.