In social life noble and patrician families played an important role in the nineteenth century. Without any doubt they occupied public offices in the government and the judiciary. At the end of this century they had lost their positions to other social groups. The centre of this research are changes in society that made these rising of new social groups possible.

At the same time the historian for modern history has edited the mémoires by A.A. van Hasselt-Houwing (1847-1929), in which she describes her youth in Heerenveen. Before and after her marriage she enrolled in and commented upon the 'beste kringen des lands', the 'most distinguished set in society'. Interesting is her description of female life in her circle. The publication appeared at the end of 2007.

This research is in co-operation with prof. dr. Yme Kuiper of the University of Groningen.