My journeys down the research rabbit hole

 

This might become a regular or semi-regular feature on my Zina Abbott Books blog—or not.

As many of my newsletter subscribers know, when sharing about a particular book, I often refer to diving down a research rabbit hole. Since I write American historical romance, I find myself doing so a lot. After all, I want my stories to be believable regarding the time and localities. Much of my research I share in posts on three multi-author blogs to which I contribute. These blogs are geared to either Western romance readers or sweet American historical romance set in the 1820s through 1929. 

 What about research that does not fit?

1135 Map of Europe

In past years, starting with The Bavarian Jeweler, I have written books with German characters. More recently, I wrote Bee Sting Cake by Brunhilde and Elise. Both Wilhelm Muller in The Bavarian Jeweler and Brunhilde Schuster in Bee Sting by Brunhilde were from the Kingdom of Bavaria. Elise comes from Hesse. Writing about a EUROPEAN nation does not fit in a blog that focuses on AMERICAN topics.

As most Americans are aware, unless one takes a college or university course specifically on German history—or even continental European history—the history those of us raised in the United States learn about Germany in our typical school education would fill a thimble. Therefore, to present believable characters—ones that would hold up under the scrutiny of readers who are from Germany—or more familiar with German history—I felt the need to do research.

Because I have recent German ancestry, once I start down the Germany research rabbit holes, I find myself diving down several side tunnels. More on that later.

Map of 1881-90 emigration-courtesy Family Tree Magazine

One reason for featuring German characters when writing American historical novels is because there were more Germans who immigrated to this nation than most people suppose. We know about the Irish immigration prompted by the potato famine. However, between the years of 1850 to 1890, with the exception of three year, the biggest single nationality of immigrants who came to the United States were from Germany.

Hesse in 1871

Elise Meyer in Elise was from Hesse—specifically, the Schwalm region in the north of Hesse. It is the homeland of Rotkäppchen, or “Little Red Hat,” a fable made famous by the Brothers Grimm.

 

If you think it was a walk in the park to figure out the history of Hesse—the land covered by the Hessian state, I can tell you, it was not. The Hessian people might have remained the same. However, the boundaries and nationalities of the rulers changed fairly frequently, often following a war. At times, between two sections of Hessian municipalities there was the free city of Frankfurt. I still do not think I got everything right. Hopefully, what I set up for Elise is fairly believable, even to Germans.

Hessian Soldiers

Not only did my research into German history produce some interesting information, I also learned some interesting facts about AMERICAN history. If they ever taught this in any of my United States history classes, I must have been absent that day, and those pages must have been missing from my history textbooks. For an example, in my next post, I will share about the “Hessians” who fought in the American Revolutionary War.

Here are some fun maps of Germany. Although informative, if I spend too much time with them, I can get the same type of headache I am prone to when watching too much static on the television:

The Holy Roman Empire about 962.

 

1512 Map of the Imperial Circles

 

Notice where Prussia is in 1600 to 1795. Watch the maps that follow to see how Prussia grows until it becomes a dominating power among the Germans. Areas ruled by Prussia are in blue:

 

1815 German states following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, which ended the Holy Roman Empire.

 

1815-1866 The Deutsche Bund

 

1866-71 North German Confederation

 

The Deutsche Reich 1871-1918 

I hope you enjoyed this brief preview in where I started my research as I tried to learn of the world from which my German characters who immigrated to the United States came.

Here are my three books that include characters who immigrated from Germany:

 

The Bavarian Jeweler – To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

 

BeeSting Cake by Brunhilde – To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

 

Elise - To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

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Saturday Snippet: And, My Stubborn Son, I Know You

My book, The Bavarian Jeweler, is now available on Amazon both for purchase or free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription. For a short time, copies may be obtained without cost on the Sweet Americana Sweethearts blog. Click on the book cover in the right sidebar and follow the Book Funnel links. While you are at the blog, please sign up to follow it by email or Networked Blogs.

“You will be a success, no matter where you go. And, my stubborn son, I know you. I am also aware of how oppressive the guilds can be in the name of preserving our crafts. And then there is your brother, Heinrich. It is his shop, but you do not do well at being second in command. You would have constantly chafed at following your brother’s decisions, and you would have chafed at the intrusion and demands of the guild.”

His teeth clenched, Wilhelm leaned back and stared at his father. He dared not say a word to contradict him. What his father said was true.

The senior Heinrich softened his voice as he continued. “I have talked to those who have lived for years in America. They assure me it is not the same there. In America, you will not have the safety net of a guild, but neither will you be under their domination. You can build your business how you see fit. You are my one son I do not fear turning loose in the world to make your way on your own.”

After you read the book, please leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads.

Saturday Snippet: Chicken-Scratching

Here is a snippet from The Bavarian Jeweler about Wilhelm's welcome to America. Please keep in mind, in 1850 when Wilhelm emigrated, the German states were not yet unified into one nation. Just as some of my immigrant ancestors insisted on the U.S. Federal Census forms their country of origin was Prussia, not Germany, Wilhelm would have considered himself a citizen of Bavaria.

          The man snarled a response. “I’ll talk how I durn well please, and y’all won’t say no different about it unless all y’all want to get back on that there ship and sail back where y’all come from. So, y’all are German?”

          “No. Bavaria.”

          The man sighed in frustration. “Durn foreigners. Spell it out so I can write it.”

          “I write. To me the paper give.”

          “Gotta to be readable. The chicken-scratch some of y’all foreigners call writing is—well—chicken-scratching.”

          Wilhelm could not understand what scratching chickens had to do with him entering America. He stretched to his full height. “You no like people not Americans, why here you work?” Ignoring the man’s glare, he continued to argue with him. The clerk finally allowed him to fill out the form himself. 

 

For a short time, copies of The BavarianJeweler may be obtained without cost on the Sweet Americana Sweethearts blog. Click on the book cover in the right sidebar and follow the Book Funnel links. While you are at the blog, please sign up to follow it by email or Networked Blogs.

After you read the book, please leave a book review on Amazon.