Autograph books have been around for centuries. They originally were a way for students to collect signatures of classmates and instructors. Most often, students would allow friends and instructors to use the blank pages of their bibles to sign their names, but over time, books with only blank pages were created with the sole purpose of being used for capturing signatures.

By the end of the 16th century, autograph books were common throughout Germany. For academics, autograph books were used not only for gathering sentimental notes, but also as a way to gather correspondence of fellow colleagues. Although the popularity of autograph books started in Europe, by the 18th century, Americans had caught on to this trend as well. The popularity of these books peaked during the Civil War. They were traded amongst friends, classmates, or colleagues to be filled with personal notes, poems, drawings, and signatures.

I am in possession of Anna C. Oliver’s, my great-great-grandmother, autograph book. Most of the pages are dated from 1860 through 1900. It’s a peek into Anna’s life and her acquaintances.