The 1800s was a time of innovation, exploration, and struggle, shaping the modern world as we know it. From the American Civil War, which led to freedom for millions of enslaved people, to the Industrial Revolution, which sparked unprecedented levels of growth, wealth, disease, pollution, and social change—transformation was everywhere.
But how did these political and social shifts impact daily existence for American people? Learning about 19th-century culture provides context around your recent ancestors’ experiences. Whether they were celebrating newfound freedom; living quiet, self-sustaining rural lives; or working tirelessly to make their fortunes in smog-filled cities, tracing their journey through history offers a great deal of insight into your identity.
The records and collections available at Ancestry® could be the keys to forming a realistic narrative of your great-grandparents’ lives. You might even find carefully preserved pictures of them, their homes, ships they traveled on, postcards, headstones, and documents.
What Was Life Like in the 1800s in America?
The U.S. reached a state of influx in the 1800s, as many citizens transitioned from agricultural to industrial living and adapted to social change. Innovations, such as the telegraph and railway steam locomotives, connected people like never before, opening up new opportunities for wealth creation and exploitation.
As enslavement was abolished and cities expanded, so did the demand for labor. Immigration helped fill gaps in the workforce, blending various countries’ traditions, festivals, and foods into U.S. culture. The cost of transportation plummeted and migrant networks expanded, sparking the so-called “Age of Mass Migration,” between 1850 and 1920. This movement saw 30 million Europeans migrate to the United States—and your great-grandparent might be one of them.
Have you always been a staunch proponent of women’s rights? Maybe you got it from your great-grandmother, who could have been part of the 19th-century suffrage movement. She may have fought for women to gain the right to vote (which didn’t happen until the early 20th century) and campaigned for equal rights and fair treatment. If an occupation is listed in 19th-century census records or her activism is mentioned in the collections available at Ancestry, you may have gotten your passion for social justice from her.
Housing in the Early 1800s
Living conditions in the early 1800s consisted of basic accommodations whether your ancestor lived in a rural or urban landscape.
On the farm, the morning crow of the rooster likely heralded the start of the day, prompting daily tasks, such as plowing, sowing, and tending to animals. Agricultural cycles and the seasons dictated the rhythm of life for those with ancestors living in rural communities in the 1800s. People in the countryside lived in post-and-beam cottages or farmhouses, often built by hand and consisting of one or two rooms and a fireplace.
The hum of factories and clatter of horse-drawn carriages may have marked the day’s beginning for city dwellers. As more industries and jobs emerged, cities and homes became increasingly crowded, with many people residing in tenement buildings with minimal ventilation and poor sanitation.
How Urban Planning Improved 19th-Century Homes
In the late 1800s, urban planning revolutionized housing. City layouts were redesigned to accommodate sanitation systems, public parks, and effective transport systems. Enhanced living conditions meant less disease.
Rural areas benefited from improved railroads and better-connected roads, linking people to amenities and opportunities. Some might argue, however, that industrialization blighted rural life in the late 19th century, strained traditional lifestyles, and eroded the rural workforce.
Did your great-grandparents live in rural homes or city apartments? Census records often detail home ownership and property values, providing a glimpse into the type of home your ancestors shared.. City directories can help you pinpoint addresses, and cross-referencing land deeds and historical maps can offer context for your ancestors’ home in the 1800s.
1800s Domestic and Family Life
Daily life in the 19th century for most Americans incorporated relentlessly hard work, routine, tradition, and close-knit family and community ties.
Let’s explore domestic life in the 1800s:
- Family roles: Men typically worked outside the home, either in an industryor on a farm, and had to be prepared for conscription. Women took care of household tasks, raised children, and may have supported the family income by working as seamstresses or domestic servants. In many homes, children had to contribute for the family to survive, perhaps joining the workforce at a young age or working on the family farm.
- Meals: The early 1800s diet differed significantly based on several factors, with poorer families mainly eating a similar diet to the colonial era. Corn, pigeon, and pickles were regularly consumed, although diets varied depending on location and the abundance of the land. Affluent families would have enjoyed meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and baked goods. By the end of the century, a more varied food culture was established, and immigrant populations made a notable mark on it.
- Domestic technology: In the 1800s, domestic technologies, such as the sewing machine, cast-iron stove, and kerosene lights, helped decrease the workload around the home and improved the quality of life.
- Domestic challenges: Although new technologies were invented, there were still many labor-intensive tasks that had to be carried out by hand. Without a washing machine, laundry could take an entire day, and without ovens or fridges, preserving and cooking food required much more diligence and daily preparation.
- Customs: Many traditions as we know them today have roots in the 19th century. From photography and Christmas trees to beloved recipes and styles of jewelry, the 1800s witnessed the consolidation and popularization of many modern customs.
Old family photos, letters, and heirlooms are enriching places to start conducting family history research. Think of each artifact as a clue, waiting to be solved and tell eye-opening stories of bygone eras. Use them as springboards by referencing names, dates, photos, and medals to record collections available at Ancestry.
What Was School Like in the 1800s?
The practice of widespread free public education in America took hold around the 1830s. Education and literacy were seen as tickets to a more prosperous life, and early leaders, such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, saw the social and economic value of educating the general public.
To get an idea of how your great-great-grandfather might have been educated, picture a small one-room schoolhouse with children of all ages packed into it. Books would have been scarce, precious commodities to be shared, and gaining an education would be a great source of pride for families. By the end of the 19th century, literacy rates were increasing. Still, a sizeable portion of the population—especially in rural areas—did not have the opportunity to go to school.
What Types of Jobs Were Available in the 19th Century?
For the first time in history, diverse employment opportunities were available to people in cities. While many people would toil in factories, others continued working as tradespeople, becoming apprentices or starting their own businesses.
Blacksmithing, tailoring, carpentry, and cobbling remained prominent, while printers, clerks, and merchants also played vital roles in cities. Subsistence farming was still a popular way of life throughout the 1800s in rural areas. Many families opted to be self-sustaining, tending to livestock and growing their own crops.
Before the abolition of enslavement in 1865, enslaved people were forced to work under brutal conditions. In rural areas, they typically worked unpaid on tobacco, corn, cotton, and livestock plantations, while in cities, they may have been unpaid laborers or craftsmen. People who were freed from enslavement may have worked as carpenters or masons or in mills or warehouses.
Employment and occupational records, city directories, and trade listings from the 19th century could enlighten you as to which profession your great-grandfather held.
How Did People Move Around in the 1800s?
When you think of transportation in the 1800s, you might envision the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves on cobblestones and the gentle sway of an open carriage. While this image is somewhat accurate, bicycles, steamboats, railroads, and carts also played significant roles in 19th-century society.
These innovative modes of transportation facilitated unprecedented levels of connectivity, opening the door to new ways of life for those who sought them. Goods traveled faster, and it was easier for families and individuals to relocate, prompting widespread movement—nationally and internationally.
Travel and migration records available at Ancestry could prove invaluable resources when exploring your heritage. Examining ship manifests, railway records, and passenger lists could help you piece together the journeys your ancestors embarked upon during the 19th century.
19th-Century Life Expectancy
Prior to the 19th century, the life expectancy of white men was around 38 years old, but there’s no concrete data indicating the average life expectancy of other groups. Mortality rates shifted notably twice in the 1800s, with the early half of the century marked by an initial decline, then an increase around the middle of the century (from 40 back down to around 35). Experts believe this increase in mortality resulted from the impact of industrialization, pollution, and poor living conditions.
Starting around 1860, advancements were made in urban planning, which improved sanitization, resulting in an increase in the quality of life for many urban North Americans and raising the average life expectancy for everyone.
Do you come from a long line of resilient and healthy people? Research death records, cemetery listings, and obituaries on Ancestry to find out if your grandparents inherited their longevity from your 19th-century ancestors.
1800s Fashion
In the 19th century, most people made their clothes at home, while wealthy folks would buy them from dressmakers. Styles reflected the available materials, local culture, and influences of urban life. What did 1800s dresses look like? Think corsets, hoop dresses, empire silhouettes, and bustles.
Following the Industrial Revolution, mass-produced clothing was popularized, democratizing fashion. For the first time, working-class people could wear clothes that emulated the sensibilities of the elite.
Did you know 19th-century family photographs could hint at the year an undated photograph was taken? A high detachable starched collar on a man’s suit could be indicative of a photo taken in the 1860s. Do you see a leg-of-mutton-shaped sleeve and wide shoulders on one of your female relative’s dresses? There’s a good chance it could be from post-1893.
Put It All Into Context With Ancestry
Learning about the lives of your great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents in the 1800s is a profound way to inform family history research efforts. If you’re ready to start discovering personal stories from the 19th century, sign up for a free trial at Ancestry today.
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