Sunday, January 29, 2006

Home Life in Colonial Days

I'm reading an interesting library book entitled Home Life in Colonial Days, by Alice Morse Earle. Originally published in 1898, it was republished by Berkshire House Publishers in 1993 (IBSN 0-936399-22-8, paperback). Home Life explains the 15th and 16th century everyday life to 21st century readers. The way homes were built, furniture was made, flax was grown and made into linen, food was grown or foraged and then prepared are all explained in easy-to-read detail, illustrated with simple black-and-white etchings. Anyone researching their colonial ancestors, or intending to write about this time period would benefit by reading this book. Earle also wrote Child Life in Colonial Days, which is also available from Berkshire House Publishers.

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