In the news1834
Zollverein customs union founded in 1834
The Zollverein was founded to eliminate customs duties between German states, fostering economic integration under Prussian leadership.
Langenburg, 31 Aug 1832 – Langenburg, 9 Mar 1913
9 facts3 sources
31 Aug 1832
Born in Langenburg
1863–1866
3 children are born
9 Mar 1913
Dies in Langenburg, aged 80
He lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Langenburg.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1834
The Zollverein was founded to eliminate customs duties between German states, fostering economic integration under Prussian leadership.
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.
Around the world1825–1830
In England a steam locomotive pulled the first public train in 1825; within decades railways crossed every continent.
Daily life
Homes heated by smoky, open hearths
Peasant homes often lacked chimneys, relying on open hearths that provided both light and heat while filling the living space with smoke. Small bundles of green pine brush, known as Kulelkes, were commonly used as fuel for these fires.
What people wore
Head-carried baskets with embroidered rings
Deliverers carried their goods in round white baskets called Mange on their heads, supported by embroidered cloth rings that served as both cushions and decorative accessories.
Music
The 1833 Prussian Music Festival in Marienburg
In 1833, the first Prussian Music Festival took place in Marienburg, featuring over 200 participants including 49 singers and 143 musicians and singers from across East and West Prussia.
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.