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After years of meticulous research, local author Robin Daniels Holt has released her debut book, My Daily Bounded Realm: A Journal of Daily Life in the Outer Banks in 1900. This captivating novel offers a unique glimpse into the lives of women living in the Outer Banks during the early 20th century.

A ninth-generation descendant of the Daniels family of Wanchese and 12th-generation descendant of the Midgett family from Hatteras Island, Holt draws heavily from her own family’s rich history. Her book is written in the format of a daily diary, masterfully blending historical context with the life of her own ancestor, Martha.

The idea for the book was sparked when Holt stumbled upon the journals of Lily Baum, a woman who lived in the Outer Banks during the early 1900s. Holt was particularly intrigued by an entry that simply read “hog work,” which led her to investigate the significance of this task. She discovered that “hog work” was a labor-intensive, three-day process that fell solely on the shoulders of women. This process, which involved preserving and processing meat for the family, was a crucial part of their daily lives.

As Holt delved deeper into her research, she uncovered a treasure trove of details that revealed the intricacies of daily life for women living on the Outer Banks back in 1900. She pored over weather records, newspapers and census data, weaving these historical threads into the fabric of Martha’s daily journal entries. From the mundane tasks of laundry and cooking to the more extraordinary events, such as the 1900 catastrophic fire in Washington, N.C., Holt’s book brings the past to vivid life.

Through her research, Holt gained a deeper appreciation for the vital role women played in maintaining daily life in the Outer Banks. Despite their tireless efforts, women’s contributions often went unrecognized, with census records relegating them to simplistic titles such as “housewife” or “head.”

The authors hope for the book was to ensure the women of that time period were given the same appreciation and respect as the men – and given a place in history. “I want people to know that we come from pretty good stock,” she shared. “The women who raised us, raised our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers, they were people, too. That was my message for writing the book: that there’s wasn’t much thought put into what a woman’s day was. Women need to be appreciated and admired, especially those who were alive back then. And they didn’t know any different.”

Holt’s book aims to rectify this oversight, offering a poignant tribute to the women who kept families and communities afloat. By chronicling Martha’s daily life, Holt sheds light on the intricacies of women’s work, from managing households and caring for children to being a pillar of support for their husbands, sons and community. “I decided to write this because there was so much hinging on what these women did, and they had no idea … they were just in their daily bounded realm, that was there domain,” Holt shares. “They were as much a life saver and light keeper as their spouse.”

This book is a testament to the enduring legacy of the women who shaped the Outer Banks. Holt’s meticulous research and engaging writing style make this book a must-read for anyone interested in local history, women’s studies or simply gaining a deeper appreciation for the unsung heroes of the past.

My Daily Bounded Realm is available to purchase locally in Manteo, online on Amazon and through Holt herself by emailing robin48jovers@yahoo.com. Join Holt for a book signing and discussion at Chicamacomico USLSS on March 29 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., as well as in April at First Friday in Downtown Manteo and on Dare Day.

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