In the news1860
Petroleum lamps replaced candles for lighting
Starting in 1860, petroleum lamps replaced candles and tallow lights in German households, significantly improving home lighting.
Zurich, 15 Jan 1867 – Cannes, 1 Mar 1909
9 facts3 sources
15 Jan 1867
Born in Zurich
1890–1891
3 children are born
1 Mar 1909
Dies in Cannes, aged 42
She lived through 5 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Zurich.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1860
Starting in 1860, petroleum lamps replaced candles and tallow lights in German households, significantly improving home lighting.
Getting around
Postal coach travel times reduction
In 1850, a postal stagecoach journey between Bern and Schwarzenburg took three hours, a time reduced to two hours and ten minutes by 1888.
At the table
Food as a major household expense
During the industrialization period, food became a major household expense, with working-class families spending 62 percent of their budget on food, primarily bread and coffee.
In Europe · 1859–1871Italy is unified. Garibaldi, Cavour and Victor Emmanuel joined the Italian states into one kingdom, with Rome its capital from 1871.
What people wore
Festive Dress and Social Identity
Festive clothing often featured bright indienne cotton prints and handmade accessories like embroidered aprons or handkerchiefs, which served as important indicators of social identity during gatherings.
Music
The affordable Langnauerli harmonica for the masses
The handheld Langnauerli harmonica, an inexpensive instrument with only two bass keys and nine melody keys, became popular among the lower classes starting around 1836. By the 1870s, it remained an accessible way for ordinary people to make music.
Daily life
Cooking over an open fire
Cooking often took place over an open fire, which filled small, cramped kitchens with smoke because there was no chimney. Families frequently prepared polenta and used dried chestnuts as a staple food during winter months.