Airborneguy

I stand corrected. I figured that government regulations would already be in effect by then, requiring very hard work to actually open a bank.

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Dragonscales

I don't think it would be too hard, especially if you perhaps had a slightly shadier background to put up some collateral. Sure it could be done with hard work, but I think it would be fun to write about a slightly underhanded, shifty charactor

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nauticus66

One of the best ways I have found to understand the life and everyday activities of a period of time (especially one during the last century) is to look for diaries or journals written during that period.

trina

This was about the time of Micheal Collins possibly watching the movie "Michael Collins" will give you an idea but u could aslo look for those elements of your story on the net.

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mammamaia

"You might want to look into the bank aspects you have there. Had Irish immigrants reached the level where they owned bussinesses like that? Banks recquire a ton of captital, you don't just start a bank, even then (which really isn't all that long ago). Also, banking is not a family affair, like a general store. Considering New England at the time, were the people trusting enought to put their hard earned fishing money in a bank, especially one run by an immigrant?"

aren't you forgetting about boston mayor 'honeyfitz' fitzgerald, who founded the political dynasty?... joe kennedy, sr married his daughter rose in 1913... so, a second generation irishman owning a bank in 1916 is not outside the realm of possibility, right?

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Cat1745

If you are going with 1910 or so which I think actually is a good fit for what i read as your plot here are some ideas from a Historical Fiction Writer with a History Major -
the dates are approximate - graduated 6 years ago - but anyway -just research these ideas -
this was problably still the Edwardian period for dress and social manner -
example Titanic(1912) or Peter Pan or Mary Poppins - you know dresses with what they call Lamb chop sleeves - big and poofy at the shoulder and close fit from the elbow down - corsets still worn - but you have emerging at this time the seeds of Women's Lib/Women's Vote/ Sufferagettes ect -
Ford - T-model on the assembly line - so revolution in Industry.
I think this is the time of Teddy Roosevelt - So walk softly and carry a big stick.
I think the war with Mexico - remeber the Maine or whatever

I hope this gave you an idea - and like I said do your research there are plenty of great historical research sites on the web that might give you a better idea.

Cat