In the news1858
New silver florin introduced in 1858
In 1858, a new silver florin became the official currency in Austria, replacing the previous Convention currency.
Vienna, 11 Dec 1856 – Ludwigslust, 9 Aug 1929
9 facts3 sources
11 Dec 1856
Born in Vienna
9 Aug 1929
Dies in Ludwigslust, aged 72
She lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Vienna.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1858
In 1858, a new silver florin became the official currency in Austria, replacing the previous Convention currency.
What people wore
Work aprons and reversible sheepskin coats
Men frequently wore a blue apron called a Firta for daily work, while craftsmen wore green aprons; for demanding barn work, they utilized sackcloth aprons and wooden clogs. Additionally, men often wore sheepskin coats that could be reversed, with the wool inside during winter and outside during summer.
Getting around
Trains replaced slower horse-drawn coaches
Taking the train from Vienna to Graz significantly improved mobility, taking nine hours by rail compared to twenty-nine hours by stagecoach.
In Europe · 1853–1856The Crimean War. Britain, France and the Ottomans fought Russia in Crimea; Florence Nightingale’s nurses changed how the wounded were cared for.
In the news1854
In 1854, the first mountain railway in the world was opened, connecting Vienna to the Semmering pass.
Music
Popular instruments of the mid-19th century
During the 1850s, the zither became highly popular as a folk-music counterpart to the bourgeois piano. By 1860, the introduction of hand-held squeeze-box instruments like the accordion and harmonica allowed a single person to provide full orchestral accompaniment for entertainment.
Daily life
Improved Cooking with the Sparherd Stove
From the mid-19th century, the introduction of the masonry "Sparherd" stove with a chimney, water container, and oven allowed for expanded cooking possibilities. Before this, cooking was simpler, and many households lacked these modern improvements.