Ryosei_Hime

I'm actually somewhat of a history lover so when I got ready to write a novel set in the 1890s I was surprised to find myself clueless. o_O It was at this time I realized I knew nothing of history after the 1700s. XD So, I was hoping someone here could help me with my research. I've asked on a few other sites and have been suggested the works of Sarah Waters which I intend to check out when I get to the library ... sometime next year. Kind of hard to do without a car. I was also suggested history books but I'm not in school anymore so that's useless advice. ^^; So, does anyone have links to websites about common everyday life of the 1890s. Late 1890s specifically. From 1898-1899. It's set in America but some information on Ireland would help as well considering it's mentioned a few times but it's not the main setting. Only the prologue is set there.

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Patrick Beverley

Why do you want to set a novel in the 1890s? What is it that attracts you about this period?

Ryosei_Hime

One thing I do know about the 1890s is psychology and how far along it had advanced because I took a few classes in high school. One of the two main characters is a psychologist and the basic plot depends on the way they thought about it at the time.

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Mike C

I googled 'life in 1890s' and found loads of stuff. I suggest you do the same.

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CaptainFreedom

You should write what you know.

I made that expression up by the way. If anyone else wants to use, it make sure you give my credit.

Seriously though, my thoughts on the matter are that unless you have a good reason to have your story set in a time period you don't know anything about, why not just do it in the present day.

I know you said it has to do with the psycology of the time, but if you can't write convincingly in that time period, it's just going to be a distraction from the core of the story.

You don't have to go to the library or internet to write about the present day, just look out the window. Or better yet, go outside.

CF

Ryosei_Hime

I really, really want it set in that time period. o__O It's very essential to the story and I want to write the story. Plus I love history so the research will be fun for me rather than tedious. But yeah I've tried a billion different search engines but I've avoided Google because I hate them so. Probably because IT'S NOT A VERB DAMMIT! >_< As well as them ruining YouTube for some people when they bought it. Ahem, but rant aside, I suppose I can lower myself to using their tight asses for the moment since they seem to be the only one providing good results.....God, I hate you Google.

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Labyrinth

google - Definitions from Dictionary.com

It's a verb...
But back to the subject, I think the1890's is a good period.

The Hooded One

Is that the only response you ever give anybody that posts in this section? Mike your a good guy but come on help him out give him some links something . As well as putting "google it".

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Mustafa

One of the main factors of life in America during that time was Reconstruction. The Civil war was a major event that was still having a large effect on the lives of people during that time.

What this means is that you have to look at the region of the US that you are describing. Former confederate states were going through a lot of hard times with dealing with a war fought almost totally on their land, the freedom of former slaves, and Union occupying forces.

The Union states were dealing with the cost of the war and its effects on the economies of those states. Many families were dealing with loss of life of loved ones that never returned from the war.

These factors are going to influence your characters as much as anything else they see and do in their daily lives.

Ryosei_Hime

Yeah. It's a verb NOW. >_> Wonder who's responsible for that? Couldn't be the millions of people ignorantly using it and turning it into slang that eventually got turned into a real word. The internet's killing the English language in my opinion.
Anyways, thank you very much for that Mustafa. I had been debating on whether or not to set it in the North or South for that same reason. I figured the Civil War would still have some impact on the life of my character. I think I need to learn more about the Irish Americans of the time too. Too bad I stopped learning Irish history at the 1800s. Got all the way to 1799 and just stopped. o__O I think I just deplore modern times too much to learn the history a lot - important things like war aside. But I suppose I shall *grits teeth and painful forces the hated word out* Google it as well. XP ..... God, I really hate you Google. So...very much.

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Shawn

Reconstruction had ended twenty years prior to 1898, so I would disregard Mustafa's post.

The period after reconstruction called the "Gilded Age" is what you're looking for.

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Cornish Maid

Did a little digging and I found this one for you:

Irish Americans

Basically most of the Irish emigrated because of the potato famine.

Here's another one I found:

The History Place - Irish Potato Famine

I don't know if either of them will be of any help but I felt they had good information.

I know you don't like google but I think everybody would agree that they're the best. Sometimes we have to make use of tools we don't like. I suggest you use them because you know what you're looking for more than anybody..

Best of luck in your work.

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Mike C

I quoted the search term I used... what more does she want?

Ah, yes, I forgot. Research provided on a plate. Sorry, I only do that for money.

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Ryosei_Hime

I am using Google despite how much I hate it. I do appreciate the help everyone's giving me but I'm looking myself as well. There's really no need for you to be an ass about it Mike. Thank you for the links Cornish Maid. I'll take a look at them and see if I can find any information. ^_^ Also, I will be looking a little further back than when it's actually set because the civil war will have had an affect on the main character's parents who have a somewhat large role in the story. So I'll search for both Reconstruction and the Gilded Age.

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Kane

Mike wasn't being an ass about it. He suggested Google, and someone chided him for it. He replied accordingly, and was not out of line doing so.

Look at you... You've been here for 3 months and have 13 posts, 5 of which are in this thread alone. You are not a contributor to this site, yet when you want to know something you just pop on in and ask us, as well as on other sites. Mike suggested Google... use it. Whenever I want to know about something I don't have a paper source for, I use Google. If you were able to find this forum, you should be able to find Google. If you know how to use Google you can find loads of information on just about every subject there is.

If you can't do your own research, perhaps you shouldn't be a writer. It's not the responsibility of everyone here to do your research for you, just because you're to lazy or undisciplined to do it yourself. And for you to come on here asking us to go out of our way for you, to call one of us an ass because you don't like his answer is incredibly immature, and just lame as all hell.