In the news1871
The German Empire is proclaimed
The German Empire was proclaimed in 1871, uniting various states under Kaiser Wilhelm I.
Altenburg, 11 Aug 1873 – Altenburg, 14 Apr 1953
8 facts3 sources
11 Aug 1873
Born in Altenburg
10 Jun 1898
A daughter is born
14 Apr 1953
Dies in Altenburg, aged 79
She lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Altenburg.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1871
The German Empire was proclaimed in 1871, uniting various states under Kaiser Wilhelm I.
What people wore
Children's Footwear in Rural Areas
While better-off families could afford varied clothes, children of the impoverished often went barefoot over stone and stubble during the summer months.
Getting around
Costly travel between Prussian villages
While railways connected major cities, travel between Prussian villages often required hiring traps, which could cost more for a short trip than a full railway journey between cities like Berlin and Dresden.
In Europe · 1870–1871The Franco-Prussian War and a united Germany. Prussia defeated France, and the German Empire was proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
In the news1873
The Panic of 1873 began with a stock market crash, triggering a period of economic hardship known as the Great Depression.
Music
Rise of male choirs and music festivals
The 19th century saw a massive surge in male choirs, known as Liedertafel, which moved from private social gatherings to public music festivals.
Daily life
Compulsory schooling and kindergarten costs
Children were required to attend school from ages six to fourteen, often carrying books in long tin satchels. In model kindergartens, families could pay fees between sixpence and three shillings a month for care and meals.