Lyn, That is really interesting history and thanks for taking the time to tell it. I love learning about culture and the people and events via our lace interests. I just like learning!
Mark, aka Tatman On 5/11/12 3:12 PM, "lynrbai...@desupernet.net" <lynrbai...@desupernet.net> wrote: > Exactly where your ancestors came from might prove important in this one. I > was in Mirecourt, which, btw, has a book. That's Lorraine, and Lorraine was > surrounded by France at one time, with heavy tariffs. Since Lorraine grows > flax, the Duc de Lorraine began a lacemaking industry. Which one, I'm not > sure, but I suspect in the 1600's when lace was all the rage. I'm not sure > they actually developed a style of lace themselves, but produced what the > market demanded, borrowing perhaps from other areas. At least I think that's > what they said. The lace exhibit in Mirecourt in the summer is wonderful, as > they move to the upper floor of the medieval market, have large displays, and > patterns for sale, as well as a group making lace right there. I spoke to > them in French, so I've no idea if they speak English, but it was an amazing > visit. As for Alsace, my grandfather came from a tiny German village about 8 > miles east of Baden Baden, so I am somewhat familiar with the area. I've > visited my cousins there several times and am not aware of any lacemaking > tradition, certainly with my relatives, and they were so poor, the land being > rather bad in their village which is nestled in the Schwartzwald, and anywhere > they grow pine trees is bad farming land. If there had been a lacemaking > tradition they would have grabbed at is so the children didn't starve. Alsace > and an area east of the Rhine, possibly Wurtemburg or Baden, were once one > duchy, which might explain why Alsatian French is not known for its purity, > and neither is Schwabisch German. I suspect they sound more like each other > than standard French or Germans. Some Alsatians migrated to Cape Breton > Island in Nova Scotia, and I believe there was lacemaking there, but since the > French were the ones who lost the war in 1753? or thereabouts, they got the > short end of the stick economically and needed money, and so they make hooked > rugs for sale to tourists now, as well as finer products. > > Hope this helps. > > Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, where I've just come in for a moment from > making lace among the roses with a pot of tea. Doesn't get much better than > that. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
