In the news1848
Abolition of slavery in 1848
The 1848 decree abolishing slavery throughout French colonies fundamentally changed the lives of enslaved people.
Apt, 23 Oct 1843
4 facts1 source
23 Oct 1843
Born in Apt
31 Aug 1876
A daughter is born
He lived through 11 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Apt.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1848
The 1848 decree abolishing slavery throughout French colonies fundamentally changed the lives of enslaved people.
Getting around
Rise of railway travel speed
In 1848, trains could cover 30 km per hour, twice the average speed of a stagecoach, which traveled about 15 km per hour. Early railway passengers often needed to bring portable candlesticks to read because lighting was deficient.
In Europe1845–1852
Potato blight ruined harvests: a million Irish people died and a million more emigrated, many to America.
Daily life
Schooling in domestic spaces
While a royal ordinance in 1816 mandated that every commune maintain a school with free education for the poor, implementation was difficult and many children received instruction in settings that doubled as the teacher's living quarters, kitchen, or even bedroom. Teachers often managed their domestic chores, such as cooking at the fireplace, simultaneously while trying to instruct pupils in the same room.
What people wore
Traditional rustic mastruca vests for men
Ordinary male peasants in Sardinia often wore the mastruca, a rustic vest made from four sheep or goat skins, a traditional garment that dates back to Roman times.
Music
Violin music at village festivals
The violin was a vital instrument for rural dances and village festivals, though local authorities sometimes tried to ban its use due to the disorder caused at these gatherings.
At the table
Bread was the daily staple food
Bread made up seven-eighths of the working-class diet in Paris, while families often added stewed pears, roasted apples, or small amounts of pork or bacon in winter.