Table of Contents
Preface vii
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
What is Social History? 1
Social History and Genealogy 1
Resources 4
Sharing Your Family's Social History 20
Chapter 2 People, Family and Society 22
Demographics 24
Ethnicity, Immigration and Social Currents 30
Customs and Traditions 36
Alcohol and Drugs 44
Sexuality, Morality, Marriage and Divorce 49
Children and Childhood 56
Chapter 3 Domestic Affairs 63
Environment 64
Clothing and Fashion 69
Food and Cooking 72
House and Home 76
Housekeeping 81
Land and Property 87
Chapter 4 Birth, Life and Death 92
Birth 94
Health and Lifestyle 99
Medicine 105
Diseases and Epidemics 109
Mental Health 112
Mortality 116
Deaths and Burials 120
Chapter 5 Work, Wages and Economy 124
Economy 126
Occupations 129
Businesses and Employers 136
Social Welfare and Relief 141
Chapter 6 Community, Religion and Government 148
Community 152
Markets and Fairs 156
Education, Language and Literacy 159
Religion and Church 164
Persecution 168
Crime and Punishment 172
War, Revolution and Unrest 177
Conclusion 181
Bibliography of Resources 182
Index 197