In the news1848
Abolition of serfdom in 1848
In 1848, the revolution led to the abolition of serfdom across the empire, fundamentally changing the lives of rural people.
Chotěboř, 28 Mar 1841 – Chotěboř, 14 Jan 1919
9 facts1 source
28 Mar 1841
Born in Chotěboř
7 Dec 1875
A daughter is born
1883–1913
Member of the Bohemian Diet
1884–1885
Member of Abgeordnetenhaus
1895
Member of the House of Lords (Austria)
14 Jan 1919
Dies in Chotěboř, aged 77
He lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Chotěboř.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1848
In 1848, the revolution led to the abolition of serfdom across the empire, fundamentally changing the lives of rural people.
Getting around
Steam trains and strict police regulation
The first steam train between Vienna and Brno covered roughly 130 kilometers in just four and a half hours. Passengers were initially required to obtain police permits before and after their journeys.
In Europe1845–1852
Potato blight ruined harvests: a million Irish people died and a million more emigrated, many to America.
Daily life
Sleeping arrangements in the family home
Large families often slept together in the kitchen on benches or on top of the large oven used for heating and baking. Benches were cleverly designed with backs that tipped forward to prevent children from falling while they slept.
What people wore
Wealthy farmers' coin-studded belts
Wealthy farmers often wore leather belts embroidered with peacock quills and silk, which were uniquely studded with coins on the inside.
Music
Paying musicians by the song at festivals
At feast dances, musicians were paid six kreutzers per song, and they would only play what a patron requested and paid for.
At the table
Meat was a rare luxury food
Meat was a rarity for ordinary families, with annual per capita consumption around 14 kilograms, and meals often consisted of flour-based dishes, potatoes, or pulses.