When we began our careers at the Library of Virginia, in 1995 and 1999 respectively, there existed a stigma around certain types of records, especially…
Library of VirginiaApril 28, 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…
Lisa WehrmannJanuary 4, 2021
Given the current coronavirus health crisis, processing a small collection of Chesterfield County smallpox epidemic records from the 19th century seemed to be a timely…
Tracy HarterApril 22, 2020
The Library of Virginia is pleased to announce the release of 100,343 emails from the administration of Governor Timothy M. Kaine (2006-2010). This latest batch…
Roger ChristmanJanuary 30, 2019
This is the latest entry in a series of blog posts spotlighting stories and records of Virginia’s involvement in World War I. Many collections in the Library…
Vince BrooksMarch 28, 2018
Occasionally, we ask guest writers to share information or stories about researching in our collections, public library programming or activities, and other topics which Library…
Guest ContributorSeptember 20, 2017
This is the latest entry in a series of blog posts spotlighting stories and records of Virginia’s involvement in World War I. The Council’s activities…
Vince BrooksJuly 12, 2017
If you read a newspaper from the late 19th century, you’re liable to be bombarded by various medical advertisements—treatments for catarrh, scrofula, and “watery-blood;” cure-alls like…
Ann McCrearyJuly 29, 2015
With examples dating back to the 1750s, Norfolk County chancery causes offer an interesting set of solutions to some of the myriad problems associated with…
Callie FreedJuly 22, 2015
Before the Commonwealth of Virginia began officially recording vital statistics in 1853, many people recorded the births, deaths, and marriages in their families in the…
Vince BrooksApril 15, 2015
Dr. Paul Parker, medical examiner of Elizabeth City County, Virginia, wrapped up a 19 April 1935 coroner’s inquest by ruling that “Dorothy McGaha Reeves came…
Vince BrooksDecember 18, 2014
Content Warning: Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections may contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and…
Greg CrawfordOctober 8, 2014
Smallpox is an infectious disease caused by two variants of a virus—variola major and variola minor. Since smallpox was certified as eradicated by the World…
Callie FreedJuly 11, 2014
Television and copy advertisements for prescription drugs are a common sight these days. But the obsession with finding the latest and greatest cure-all is nothing…
Kelley EwingJuly 5, 2012
