Around the world1825–1830
The first passenger railway
In England a steam locomotive pulled the first public train in 1825; within decades railways crossed every continent.
1826 – 1914
6 facts2 sources
1826
Born
29 Jan 1850
A daughter is born
1914
Dies
She lived through 10 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
Around the world1825–1830
In England a steam locomotive pulled the first public train in 1825; within decades railways crossed every continent.
At the table
Potato schnapps among common men
Potato schnapps was a popular and widespread drink among common men in East Prussia, so much so that some would sell their last chicken to afford it.
What people wore
Saving fabric with the Magsachte patch
Women saved money on expensive fabric by sewing a hidden patch of coarser linen, called a Magsachte, onto their dresses where it would be covered by an apron.
Getting around
Difficult and slow travel by stagecoach
Traveling by stagecoach in Prussia was often grueling and uncomfortable due to poorly maintained, unpaved roads and cramped, unsprung carriages. A journey from Berlin to Königsberg, spanning 565 kilometers, typically took ten to eleven days by post coach.
What it cost
Marriage requirements and net worth
To obtain permission to marry, a couple often needed to prove a minimum net worth of 100 to 200 guilders.
Music
Daily castle tower music in Königsberg
City tower musicians performed chorales daily from Königsberg's castle tower, such as 'Ich weiß mein Gott, daß all mein Tun' at 11 am and 'Nun ruhen alle Wälder' at 9 pm.
Daily life
Typical rural home layout and construction
Ordinary rural homes were low-ceilinged wooden structures with small, round glass windows and floors made of stone or brick. Cooking often took place in the living room using a masonry hearth, while a single large room served as a bedroom for the entire family and sometimes even the servants.