York County – The UncommonWealth

York County’s Forgotten Founder

York County, originally named Charles River County for King Charles I, was one of the eight Virginia shires (counties) first enumerated in 1634. A document…

Callie FreedJanuary 25, 2017

Newspapers

Be True to Your School

Question: What do the following five quotes have in common? Answer: They are all quotes taken from high school newspapers. And while academic newspapers cover topics…

Kelley EwingJuly 24, 2015

Archives Manuscripts & Special Collections

There Are No Small Preventions, Only Smallpox

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…

Tricia NoelApril 15, 2015

Hampton Coroner Records Reveal Social History

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