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By Stacy Locke, Manager of Historical Collections
Collection Overview
Title: Genin Family Papers, 1840-1970
Extent: 1.0 Boxes
Subjects: Barnum, P. T. (Phineas Taylor), 1810-1891, Genin, J. N. (John Nicholas), 1819-1878, Genin, Thomas Hedges, 1796-1868, Genin Family
Abstract
The collection includes an oil painting of John Genin, a mourning postcard of Dorothy March Tower and a photo of Ada Genin March. The rest of the collection consists of photocopied material. All of the papers are Xerox copies of family materials such as the family bible birth-and-death entries, news clippings, photos, and a copy of the birth certificate of (Georgette) Dorothy March. Some of the materials have Post-its affixed with explanations provided by the donor. Also included are three photocopies of letters from P. T. Barnum to Thomas Hedges Genin with transcriptions provided by the donor.
Collection Historical Note
John Nicholas Genin (1819-1878) was one of the best known hatters in New York City during the mid-nineteenth century. He owned a clothing shop called Genin’s Bazaar at 513 Broadway in the St. Nicholas Hotel, as well as his hat shop at 214 Broadway in lower Manhattan. In 1848 he wrote a 60-page pamphlet called “An Illustrated History of the Hat From the Earliest Ages” published in 1848, a copy of which is on file at the Green-Wood Cemetery Archives. Other than his hats, he was best known for building a footbridge over Broadway in 1852. This enabled pedestrians to cross the busy street safely, consequently delivering them to the front door of his hat shop. In 1859, Genin was forced to close his clothing and hat shop due to high rents.
Later generations are related to the Plumer and March families by marriage. There is also a relation through marriage to the to Alberti family, credited as the first Italian immigrant to the country back in 1630. Those family descendants also go by the name of Albertus, Bertus, and Berti.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Historical Collections
Processing Information:
Accession #: 001-2015
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Item:
[
Item 1: Framed Oil Painting of John Nicholas Genin, artist unknown],
[Box 1: Genin Family Papers],
[
All]
- Box 1: Genin Family Papers
- Folder 1: Miscellaneous Family Materials
- Item 1: Photograph of Ada Genin March
- Black & White - 2.5"x3.5" with number "161" stamp on back. Photo identified by donor as Ada Genin March in Rhode Island.
- Item 2: Postcard Portrait
- Black & White postcard - 3.5"x5.25" Front: mourning portrait of Dorothy March Tower as identified by donor. Reverse has postcard markings. Item produced by Myers & Son, 1521 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ.
- Item 3: Births and deaths recorded in Genin family bible
- Four Xeroxed sheets, two of which are taped together to form a longer sheet. All on cream-colored bond.
- Item 4: Births and deaths recorded in March family bible
- Five Xeroxed sheets, 8.5"x11", of handwritten birth and death announcements
- Item 5: Photocopies of family papers
- 21 pages including birth certificate of Dorothy March Tower, notes on Climent March, miscellaneous notes and newspaper clippings on family members, including an obituary for John Genin from an unidentified newspaper.
- Folder 2: Correspondence from P. T. Barnum to Thomas Hedges Genin, 1866-1867
- Item 1: Photocopy of Letter from P. T. Barnum to Mr. Genin, September 10, 1866
- Photocopy of two-page handwritten letter from P. T. Barnum to Genin dated September 10, 1866 with typed transcription provided by donor.
- Item 2: Photocopy of Letter from P. T. Barnum to "My Dear Uncle Hedges", October 5, 1867
- Photocopy of eight-page handwritten letter from P. T. Barnum to "My Dear Uncle Hedges" [Thomas Hedges Genin] dated October 5, 1867 on Barnum stationery with typed transcription provided by donor.
- Item 3: Photocopy of Letter from P. T. Barnum to Thos H. Genin Esq., November 30, 1867
- Photocopy of four-page handwritten letter from P. T. Barnum to Thos H. Genin Esq. dated November 30, 1867 on Barnum stationery with typed transcription provided by donor.
