Lutheran Baptism Augsbourg

Otto Piltz (1846-1901) - Kindtaufe in der Cappeler Kirche c 1879 (Christening in the church)

Illustrierter Katalog der Münchener Jahresausstellung von Kunstwerken Aller Nationen im kšnigl. Glaspalaste 1890, Ausgabe vom Anfang September, München 1890 - Author Harry Jochmus

Illustrierter Katalog der Münchener Jahresausstellung von Kunstwerken Aller Nationen im königl. Glaspalaste 1890, Ausgabe vom Anfang September, München 1890 (Digitalisat der BSB) Author Anton Laupheimer

Everyone was a member of a church.

Sometime between the age of thirteen and sixteen all children were confirmed and made their first communion. For three years before this event the children were instructed in religion. The children were publicly tested in their knowledge and their confirmation may be postponed if they were not adequately prepared. This held true for both Catholic and Protestant. The ceremony included all of the village children who were deemed ready. All of the children sat together dressed in their best clothing. In some areas girls wore all white or all black. In the countryside they wore traditional clothing.

The event was celebrated with parents and other family members.

This was an important rite of passage. Boys became men and grils became women. Formal education was frequently ended at this point and boys (now men) started apprenticeships. Boys could not find employment unless they could produce their confirmation certificate. Before Confirmation girls were children wearing short skirts. After confirmation, they wore long skirts, could go to dances, begin to look for a prospective spouse.

My Grandmother, Meta Petermann's confirmation picture, Hoboken New Jersey 1901.

Confirmation ceremonies frequently took place at Easter time or Michaelmas. Michaelmas was/is the feast of the Archangel Michael celebrated on September 29th.

The Matchmaker, c 1890

Several images of prospective husbands are being shown. Five images are under the woman's hands on the table. Both mother and daughter seemed please with the offering in the matchmaker's hand. Notice the flax spinning wheel on the right.

Linen Weaving

Wedding Dance in the Open Air, Pieter Brueghel the Elder (1526/1530-1569)

Peasant Wedding, Pieter Brueghel the Elder (1526/1530-1569)

Peasant Wedding, Pieter Brueghel the Younger (1546-1638)

Lutheran Marriage Augsbourg

Printed on back:

Spreewald auf de Fahrt von der Kirche nach dem Hochzeitshaus wird das Weiterkommen gehindert durch uber das Wasser gepoannte Leinen, welche mit buten Tuchern behagen sind. Erst wenn de Brautigam mit einigen Geldstuckchen den Zoll bezahlt hat darf der Zug passiren"

Spreewald is in Lower Sorbian about 100 km south east of Berlin. The river Spree has been branched to make more than 200 canals.

Lower Austrian Peasant Wedding, Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller (1793-1865)

The Civil Marriage

I believe that this image represents another civil marriage. Although this time the participants are dressed in typical peasant garb instead of the "city clothes" of the "civil marriage" above. The sign over the door says "civil stand".

Marriage in a Village in Swabia

Benjamine Vautier - Illness - 1888 - Glass plate

Die Gräber der Gestandrechtetien auf. dem Kirchlor zu Manheim

A VILLAGE FUNERAL

Extra Supplement of the Illustrated London Times March 1873 After a painting by Benjamine Vautier.

Benjamin Vautier - Beerdigung auf der Schwalm c1880

County wakes were said to be gay affairs with dancing, music and singing.

Wayside shrines are common in Catholic Germany.

This is an example of a chapel shrine.

Maggie