2.  Little is known about the history of sign language before 1816.  It is likely that there were several different signed languages or types of signing used by the deaf and their family members.  Most deaf people were isolated due to lack of understanding of them and little to no schools to attend.  Without schools or organizations for the deaf to be brought together, a deaf child and their family may create a personal way to communicate-known as home signs.  (Also, sign languages from other countries may account for some signs brought by immigrants)

3.  A rich doctor (Dr. Cogswell) had a deaf daughter named Alice.  The doctor wanted to find someone to educate his daughter.  Dr. Cogswell found his neighbor Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and raised money to send THG to Europe to learn how to educate the Deaf.

4.  THG was a graduate from Yale University, after the money was raised by Cogswell, THG first went to England.  The Oral method was becoming popular. Thus he ended up at the Braidwood School (an oral school) but was turned away.  However, while in England, THG met Sicard who was putting on an exhibition of his deaf students.

5.  Sicard then invited THG to study in France and to study French Sign Language.  While in France, THG met Laurent Clerc (one of Sicard’s students) and the two of them traveled back to the U.S.  THG taught Clerc English and Clerc taught THG French Sign Language during their 52 day trip to the U.S.

6.  In April 1817, Gallaudet and Clerc established a school for the deaf in Hartford, Connecticut.  Original name was the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb Persons (It was later changed to the American School for the Deaf)  The combination of signs that existed in America already (home signs/ minimal communication) and French signs that Clerc brought over created….