MAIL ORDER BRIDES

AIRED: Season 2, Episode 3
THE DETECTIVE: Tukufu Zuberi
THE PLACE: Los Angeles, California

THE CASE:

In California, a photograph collector owns four small images of women taken in Chicago in the 1890s.

On the back of one are the woman's personal details and comments about her inheritance, leading their owner to believe these aren't just ordinary portraits but advertisements for mail order brides.

Could he be right?

History Detectives visits California and Chicago to investigate the Victorian marriage industry and discovers a shocking story of late nineteenth century extortion and corruption.

More Leads

Chicago's World Fair
A site all about the Colombian Exhibition that helped Chicago gain notoriety.

The Chicago Historical Society
For more on all aspects of Chicago history, the Chicago Historical Society can help.

The Chicago Public Library
The Chicago Public Library offers an overview of the Chicago Police Department and its concerns in 1900.
The library also has an extensive bibliography on all aspects of Chicago.