In the news1770–1771
Migration during the 1770-71 famine
During the great famines of 1770–71, peasants from other parts of Germany migrated to Prussia where food supplies were more accessible.
Hanau, 24 Dec 1779 – Kassel, 21 Jan 1856
7 facts1 source
24 Dec 1779
Born in Hanau
21 Jan 1856
Dies in Kassel, aged 76
He lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Hanau.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1770–1771
During the great famines of 1770–71, peasants from other parts of Germany migrated to Prussia where food supplies were more accessible.
Getting around
Dangers and Hardships of 18th-Century Travel
Travel was often physically demanding and dangerous, with carriages that were frequently uncomfortably sprung or unsprung, causing travelers to suffer from motion sickness or injury. Due to the poor state of roads and the threat of highwaymen, travelers often carried weapons or avoided unnecessary trips, with some prominent figures never leaving their home region.
In Europe1772–1795
Russia, Prussia and Austria divided Poland among themselves in three steps until, in 1795, it vanished from the map for 123 years.
Daily life
Cooking on open hearths without ovens
Ordinary people typically relied on open fires or basic hearths without ovens for cooking, as these were common in the region before the introduction of modern stoves around 1800. Daily meals were seasonal and often consisted of dairy products, grain-based dishes, and limited meat, with lard being used extensively.
What people wore
Noble Men Preferred Wigs Over Beards
In the 18th century, noble men famously wore wigs and makeup, while facial hair was strictly shunned for most men, marking a major departure from later masculine standards.
Music
Everyday singing in homes and workrooms
Singing was a common activity in daily life, often performed without sheet music while working, such as during textile work in spinning rooms, or at church services and social gatherings.
At the table
Coffee and cheap surrogates were daily staples
By the late 18th century, coffee became a common daily necessity for ordinary people, often mixed with cheap surrogates like chicory or roasted rye and barley to stretch the expensive beans.