Pa. German Birth Certificate c. 1936

This Pennsylvania Dutch birth certificate, created by Albert Levone in 1936, is a unique example of folk art. It depicts a symbolic representation of a birth, with a heart at its center representing the new life, surrounded by stylized flowers and eye motifs. The handwritten text records the birth of Magdalena Schwenk in 1793 in Pennsylvania, and includes details of the baptism and the names of witnesses. These certificates were often personalized and created as keepsakes, reflecting the traditions and beliefs of the Pennsylvania Dutch community.