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Henri Baels

Ostend, 18 Jan 1878 – Ostend, 15 Jun 1951

8 facts1 source

Facts and their sources

  • Born18 Jan 1878, Ostendnot verified1 source
  • MarriedAnne Marie de Visschernot verified1 source
  • Titlemember of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgiumnot verified1 source
  • Died15 Jun 1951, Ostendor 14 Jun 1951Records disagree1 source

A life in time

  1. 18 Jan 1878

    Born in Ostend

  2. 28 Nov 1916

    A daughter is born

  3. 15 Jun 1951

    Dies in Ostend, aged 73

Family

See the tree

Partner

Children · 1

During his lifetime

He lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Ostend.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1870s · Henri is born in Ostend

In the news1879–1883

Arrival of the telephone

The telephone arrived in Belgium between 1879 and 1883, transforming communication in the Belle Epoque.

Getting around

Rail Travel Was Often Unaffordable

In 1852, a train ticket from Ghent to Brussels cost 2.25 to 4.75 francs, while a farm laborer earned only about 1.13 francs per day, making rail travel expensive for many.

At the table

Bread Spending Gap Between Classes

While laboring families spent roughly 30 percent of their total income on bread, wealthy families spent less than 2 percent.

The Franco-Prussian War and a united Germany. Prussia defeated France, and the German Empire was proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.In Europe · 1870–1871

The Franco-Prussian War and a united Germany. Prussia defeated France, and the German Empire was proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.

Anton von Werner · public domain

What people wore

Black became the standard rural color

During the second half of the 19th century, black became the dominant color for everyday clothing in the Flemish countryside, replacing the colorful styles of previous eras. Typical daily attire for rural men included trousers, vests, smocks, and hats, while women wore skirts, aprons, blouses, and shawls.

Music

Late night dancing at Kermesse fairs

During the Kermesse fair, villagers danced in public houses until 2 or 3 in the morning, accompanied by a band or barrel-organ music.

Daily life

Children ruling the household for a day

On the children's festival day, Allerkinderendag, children were permitted to rule the household, tease servants, and even tell the cook what to prepare for dinner. They could also wear their parents' clothes and walk from door to door.