The author studies one Ostfriesen community in Illinois. When I read her comments, it was as if she had looked at my genealogical research, and grown up in one of those areas as I had. "Unwritten rules," the importance of the homeplace, were all issues she talked about as she discussed Ostfriesen immigrant farmers. She studied non-Ostfriesen Germans and "Yankees" as well. As the descendant of all three types of families (my Mother is Ostfriesen and my Dad is non-Ostfriesen German and "Yankee") the differences she points out really hit home when I thought about my different families and how certain things were done.
Anyone with farm ancestors in the Midwest in the 19th century would be well-served by reading the book. I've read mine several times.
The book is Prairie Patrimony: Family, Farming, and Community in the Midwest (Studies in Rural Culture)
. The author is Dr. Sonya Salamon and it was published by North Carolina University Press.
