Westward Bound!

 


When I write a western historical romance I do a lot of research. I mean, I have no firsthand knowledge of living in the west in the 1800s so Google is my friend! 

I love every minute of poking around in the old-time facts and fancies. Just so much to learn—and it gives me such an overwhelming sense of respect for how things were done back in the day. 

A Wylder Christmas features Violet Bloom, Wylder's schoolteacher. Researching one-room western schools, curriculum of the time, and even the yearly school calendar was enlightening. So much has changed, but the dedication of teachers has remained the same. Truly inspiring!  

I'm currently writing the story of one of Violet's sisters (she has three!) and am learning about homesteading. Again, I'm amazed by the trials homesteaders faced and the way they lived while building. They were hardy, brave people who withstood a ton to carve a living from an unforgiving landscape. 

Curious about the time and conditions? The National Archive has some interesting material. One word of caution: If you're like me, you might lose a few hours poring over the vintage material! 

Have fun! 

Comments

  1. Laura StricklandMarch 31, 2021 at 7:45 AM

    Great post and a wonderful resource in the National Archive!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarita LeoneMarch 31, 2021 at 2:11 PM

      Thank you, Laura! I love researching and can get lost in archives for hours! :)

      Delete

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