"I hate secession and all its hateful helpers. Cursed be the hand that raised its bloody flag to make desolate homes and wretched women,” wrote…
McKenzie LongSeptember 22, 2021
In 1823, Jacques Arago’s Voyage autour du Monde was published. After describing a line-crossing ceremony he had witnessed, he waxed philosophical, noting, “I have no…
Jessi BennettSeptember 1, 2021
On 30 March 1857, Joseph Elam and two other white men broke into the house of Reubenetta Dandridge, a free Black woman living in the…
Lydia NeurothAugust 25, 2021
This is an entry in our “Random Reference” series, which features interesting discoveries made and reference questions answered by our Archives & Library Reference Services…
Amanda MorrellAugust 16, 2021
To what lengths would you go to prove your identity if you had no documentation? One formerly enslaved woman was able to do so 150…
Tracy HarterAugust 11, 2021
CONTENT WARNING: Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and…
Lydia NeurothJuly 28, 2021
It is not uncommon to see immigration and migration references when processing local records collections, so it was not especially surprising to find a few…
Eddie WoodwardJuly 21, 2021
The Library of Virginia’s Buildings and Grounds Collection consists of selected images from the Public Buildings and Grounds series of local government records. These items…
Greg CrawfordJuly 7, 2021
Hi, I’m Lydia, the new Project Manager for Virginia Untold. I’m using this blog post to introduce myself and my interest in this project. Going…
Lydia NeurothJune 30, 2021
To vaccinate, or not to vaccinate? That has always been the question. It is particularly timely these days as people seek, or seek to avoid,…
Tracy HarterJune 16, 2021
In 1791, Rachel Veney’s mother Sarah won a case in the district court of Northumberland County for her freedom and the freedom of her descendants.…
Greg CrawfordJune 9, 2021
The best thing about being a reference archivist is that every time you pick up the phone you have no idea what the question will…
Dawn TinnellJune 7, 2021
Around 1712, two women were transported by ship to Virginia’s Northern Neck. The elder was named Mary and the younger Bess, who was about 13…
Greg CrawfordJune 2, 2021
Tobacco has been an important part of Virginia’s economy for centuries, starting with the Virginia Indians who cultivated native plants and John Rolfe’s attempts in…
Cara GriggsMay 26, 2021
