19th Century

Eutin, June 4, 1889 Dear cousin, Your dear letter has moved me deeply. It has long been my wish to write to you, but various duties and circumstances have kept me from doing so sooner. You know how often I have thought of you and of the dear old days. I must confess that I sometimes wonder how life has carried us so far from one another, and yet our memories remain close. Here in Eutin things proceed quietly. My health has been reasonably good, although I feel the passing of the years more than before. The household duties occupy much of my time, and there are always matters that require attention. I was especially glad to hear about your family. It comforts me to know that you and yours are doing well. Please give my kind greetings to all of them. There has also been some news among our relatives. Wilhelm has written recently and sends his greetings. He speaks with great affection of the past and hopes that we might meet again one day, though such journeys are not easy now. Life here continues in its usual rhythm. The town has changed somewhat over the years, yet many familiar faces remain. When I walk through the streets I often remember earlier times and the people who were once part of our daily lives. Please write again when you have the opportunity. Your letters always bring joy and comfort. With heartfelt greetings, Your loving cousin Dorothea Schau Greetings also from Wilhelm To Mr. Johann Kamle Eutin

This letter reflects everyday family communication in late 19th-century Germany. Such correspondence often served to maintain relationships between relatives who lived in different towns or regions. Letters were commonly written by women of the household, who frequently took responsibility for maintaining extended family connections. The content suggests a reflective tone typical of family letters of the period, emphasizing memory, kinship, and the passage of time. References to household duties and health also reflect the domestic concerns that dominated everyday life in middle-class German households during the late 1800s.

Historical Note

This handwritten German letter dated June 4, 1889 was written in Eutin, Germany by Dorothea Schau to a relative. Written in traditional German Kurrent script, the letter discusses family matters, shared memories, and greetings from relatives. The document provides insight into the intimate family correspondence of the late 19th century, when handwritten letters were the primary means of maintaining relationships across distance. Its reflective tone and emphasis on kinship illustrate the strong importance of family ties in everyday life during the era of the German Empire. Eutin is a historic town in Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany, known for its ducal palace and cultural life during the 19th century. During the time this letter was written, Germany was part of the German Empire under Kaiser Wilhelm II. The handwriting used here, Kurrent script, was the standard German cursive used in the 19th century before the later adoption of Sütterlin in the early 20th century. Kurrent can be difficult to read today because many letters differ significantly from modern Latin cursive. Letters like this were typically folded and sealed to form their own envelope before the widespread use of separate envelopes became common.