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Frozen in Time: Last Eskimo Girl

Few things capture the feeling of summer, like a stop at Dairy Queen. Whether it’s a soft-serve cone after a ballgame or a burger on the way home from church, DQ has been stitched into the fabric of...

The La Choza Huts | Postcards from the Past

I’m holding a postcard today that feels different from most of the others in my collection. It doesn’t show a grand hotel, a busy beach, or a flashy tourist attraction. No, this one shows something...

Inside the 1900 Census

The 1900 U.S. Census marks the beginning of a new era. It was the first census of the 20th century—and it knew it. By 1900, America had changed dramatically. Cities were growing faster than ever...

Navigating the 1890 Census Gap

The 1890 census may be gone, but your ancestors aren’t. This worksheet aims to help you rebuild the missing years—one clue at a time. Whether your ancestors were settling in a new state, welcoming...

Inside the 1890 Census

The 1890 U.S. Census is one of the most heartbreaking gaps in American records. It leaves a missing chapter for family historians—twenty years between 1880 and 1900 when so much changed. Children...

Mastering the 1880 Census for Family Historians

The 1880 census is one of my favorite records—not just because of what it tells us, but because of what it helps us feel. This is the first census where we can see families take shape on paper. For...

Inside the 1880 Census

When people talk about the U.S. Census, most think of it as just a headcount. But by 1880, the census had become something far more powerful. It wasn’t just about population totals or determining how...