Why There’s A West Virginia
West Virginia declared its independence from the secessionist state of Virginia in the middle of the Civil War and became the 35th state.
When Forced Sterilization was Legal in the U.S.
The 1927 case of Buck v. Bell set the stage for forced sterilizations for eugenics, but it turned out to based on complete falsehoods.
The Battle Over Confederate Heritage Month
A Southern governor has proclaimed April to be Confederate Heritage Month. But how can you celebrate the confederacy without mentioning slavery?
Our Long Roanoke Nightmare
The sixth season of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story focuses on the mysterious lost colony of Roanoke.
When a Memoir Tells Half the Story: Prince Edward County and School Desegregation
Kristen Green's memoir Something Must Be Done About Prince Edward County neglects the broader significance of the county's school desegregation crisis.
Population Studies for the Genealogist
Estimating the accuracy and depth of the records is just one insight genealogist's gain from population studies.
The Public Wife: Is Maureen McDonnell to Blame for Her Husband’s Downfall?
Maureen McDonnell was found guilty, along with her husband, Gov. Bob McDonnell. What role do spouses have in political scandals?