In the news1873
Gründerkrise economic crash began
In 1873, Germany experienced the Gründerkrise, a severe economic crisis that caused significant financial instability following a period of post-unification industrial boom.
Petit-Saconnex, 28 Jul 1871 – Paris, 9 Dec 1929
8 facts3 sources
28 Jul 1871
Born in Petit-Saconnex
1900–1904
3 children are born
9 Dec 1929
Dies in Paris, aged 58
She lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Petit-Saconnex.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1873
In 1873, Germany experienced the Gründerkrise, a severe economic crisis that caused significant financial instability following a period of post-unification industrial boom.
Getting around
High cost of postal coach travel
In 1873, traveling by postal horse-drawn vehicle over Alpine passes was expensive, costing between 10 and 15 rappen per kilometer.
At the table
High food costs for working families
Working-class families spent 62 percent of their total budget on food, primarily on bread, coffee, or chicory substitutes.
In Europe · 1859–1871Italy is unified. Garibaldi, Cavour and Victor Emmanuel joined the Italian states into one kingdom, with Rome its capital from 1871.
What people wore
Gender-specific work clothing customs
In the Lötschenthal region, men reportedly wore women's hats while performing stable or courtyard work as a sign that the tasks were considered women's work. In the Val d'Illiez, women wore long, dark men's trousers to navigate steep slopes for livestock and field labor.
Music
Paying for Dance Music
To pay for music at dance events, attendees could either pay for individual tunes or purchase dance ribbons, which acted like multi-trip tickets for several songs.
Daily life
Cooking over an open fire
Cooking often took place over an open fire, which filled small, cramped kitchens with smoke because there was no chimney. Families frequently prepared polenta and used dried chestnuts as a staple food during winter months.