There is very little of the original White House left. Built in 1792, it has suffered 3 disasters over the past 200 years. Here's what's left of the original.
Category - American History
The American Orphan Trains
What were the Orphan Trains and what did they do for children? It's an intriguing story. It's considered the precursor to modern foster care in America.
The Pepperoni Roll and Its Origins: GeneFoods #3
What is a pepperoni roll, and why might it be important to your genealogical research? Discover all about this food and its connection to genealogy here.
The Real Story of Calamity Jane
You've probably heard of Calamity Jane. But how much of her real life story do you know? While much of her life is still speculation, what we do know is wild.
Leif Eriksson: The Famous Viking Explorer
Leif Eriksson was the first known European to set foot in North America, approximately 500 years before Columbus. Here's this Viking's fascinating story.
James A. Garfield: America’s Extraordinary 20th President
Who was James A. Garfield, other than America’s 20th president? He is mostly remembered for being assassinated while in office, but there is so much more to this highly accomplished man than that one...
Morse Code and the Telegraph
Today's modern telecommunications have origins reaching back almost 200 years. We can than the telegraph and Morse code. Here's the story of their invention.
Women in the Civil War
Did you know women played a large and important roles in the Civil War? They did. And it wasn't just by keeping the home fires burning. They were real soldiers.
WWII Japanese American Internment and Relocation Records in the National Archives
Do you have Japanese American ancestry? If so, learn more about Japanese internment during WWII, and records concerning the real people involved.
Oregon Trail Ancestry: Did Your Ancestors Travel the Trail?
What was the Oregon Trail? Here's what you need to know about this important part of American History, and how you can discover whether your ancestors traveled it.
History of the US Passport Application
The history of passports in the United States is an interesting one, and one that may assist with your genealogical research. Here's what you need to know.
A History of Plymouth Rock
Do you know where the rock in the Plymouth Rock monument originates? Is it really the place Pilgrims first set foot in America? Here's the real story.
Was the First Thanksgiving Actually Held in Florida? An Interesting Historical Analysis
Did the Pilgrims really have the first American Thanksgiving, or does the honor belong to someone else? It all depends on how you look at it.
The Biltmore: A Beautiful Piece of American History
The Biltmore Estate is a unique and beautiful piece of American architecture, with a fascinating history. Here's why you should make a point to visit it.
How Theodore Roosevelt Developed His Cowboy Reputation
Theodore Roosevelt is an American icon and one of our better-known presidents. This is the story of how he became that way, going from rich boy to cowboy.
What You Need to Know About the History of the Television
You've probably grown up watching television. But, did you ever wonder how it was invented? Or, who invented it? It's a fascinating story. Here are the details.
The Wright Brothers: How They Became Aviation Pioneers
Do you know the story of the Wright brothers? They are the inventors of controlled, manned flight. This is their story, and how they became aviation pioneers.
The History of the Confederate Flag
Are you interested in the Confederate flag, for genealogical or historical reasons? Here is the real history of the flag and how it came to be.
The Surprise Missouri Earthquake of 1811
The Missouri area experienced a devastating earthquake in 1811. Here's what effect the earthquake had on the area, and why there was even a large earthquake there in the first place.
Mail Order Brides: A History of Love in the Wild West
Mail order brides were popular in the Old West in the United States. Here's why, and why so many women decided to become them.
Where Were the Pilgrims Really Going?
The Pilgrims were originally going to settle in Virginia. Why did they settle in Massachusetts instead? Here's the real story of the Mayflower.
Pioneers of the Old South: a chronicle of English colonial beginnings
Genealogy Book Club Recommendation: This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. This book is offered free through Kindle wireless delivery...
Mayflower Passengers: Not All Were There for Religious Reasons
Not everyone who traveled to the New World on the Mayflower was a Pilgrim. The non-religious passengers were called "strangers." This is why they came.
Quaker Persecutions in Puritan Massachusetts
Colonial Massachusetts is well known for the Salem witch trials. However, there was another dark period of persecution before that, which involved the Quakers.
How the Seven Years’ War led to the American Revolution
History is a continuous rope of causes and effects. The birth of the United States is no different. Our Revolutionary War was the result of battles across the globe between the world’s major...
Faster Than a Speeding Bullet
We all have to admit it that when we’re doing genealogy research to learn about our families’ histories, we secretly hope to find someone famous in our family trees. Or maybe not so...
The Orphan Train Movement
Throughout the entire history of America, federal, local, and state governments have regularly undertaken programs to promote the welfare and betterment of their citizens, and the largest city in the...
Genealogy Data: Frequently Occurring Surnames from Census 2000
The U.S. Census Bureau publishes a list of frequently occurring surnames from Census 2000. (Note: this data is from the 2000 census.) You can look through the list below of surnames that may show how...
The Mayflower Pioneers: The Hardships They Encountered
The story of the Pilgrims has its origins in the desire of religious independence from the Church of England.
How Did Air Force One Get Its Name?
In 1953 a near mid-air collision took place over New York City… Additional Information: From FDR’s prop-driven Pan Am to the glimmering blue and white jumbo 747 on which George W. Bush...