Women's History Month 2023: Her China

It seems fitting to start Women's History Month by discussing something from the kitchen. For today, I'm concentrating on china. 

How does an ancestor's china add to the story of her life?

From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega

The china may not provide much in the sense of genealogically relevant information. With some effort, you can determine the pattern, manufacturer, and dates it was sold. That might help you determine which female ancestor the set belonged to and maybe when they acquired it. 

But the china can be part of a larger discussion that could include:

• What presents did she receive when she was married?
• Who gave her the china?
• When did she use it?
• What meals were served on it?
• What are family meals that are still enjoyed today?
• Do you have photos that include the china?
• How will you preserve the china for posterity (if you decide to). Who will inherit it?
• What other china pieces exist in your family? How are they used? What's their provenance?

If you've inherited a piece of her china or the set, write a narrative about it. Describe the china (pattern and manufacture) and who owned it originally? How did you inherit it? What significance does it have in your family? Add a photograph. This would also be a good time to list possible future recipients and to share the information with your family. 

Resources

Replacements, LTD                             https://www.replacements.com/

Love to Know - Identify Antique China Patterns    https://antiques.lovetoknow.com/Identify_Antique_China_Patterns

Alice Morse Earle, China Collecting in America (available on Google Books) https://www.google.com/books/edition/China_Collecting_in_America/AOACAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=alice+morse+earle+china&printsec=frontcover