The 1840 U.S. Census might be early American recordkeeping’s most overlooked turning point. It still looks like the older ones—just one name listed, a page full of tick marks, and plenty of...
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Inside the 1830 Census
By 1830, the United States had reached a new kind of maturity. For some, the Revolution was no longer in living memory, though a surprising number of veterans were still alive and tucked into...
Inside the 1820 Census
The 1820 U.S. Census rolled out during what historians often call the “Era of Good Feelings”—a peaceful name for a time that was anything but simple. The War of 1812 had ended just a few...
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Inside the 1810 Census
In 1810, the United States was only 34 years into its existence and was still figuring things out—including how to count its people. That year marked just the third official census, and while the...
10 “Must-Do” Genealogy Projects for April
Are you looking for some productive genealogy projects to do for April? As the first full month of spring, April offers some interesting and unique genealogy opportunities that just don't fit in as...
The Strange History of U.S. Patent 6506148 B2
Imagine sitting quietly at your desk, watching your favorite TV show or browsing a genealogy archive late at night. You’re alone—or at least you think you are. But what if the screen in front of you...
The Real Story of April Fools’ Day
April 1st often arrives with a mixture of groans and eye-rolls, especially for those who have been on the receiving end of thoughtless pranks. While some brush it off as harmless fun, others know the...
George Clinton: The Rebel Who Refused the Crown
Before the White House, before political parties fully took shape, and before America had even decided how it wanted to govern itself, there was George Clinton. He didn’t wear a powdered wig for...
Nelson A. Rockefeller: The Billionaire Who Never Made It to the White House
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was born into wealth so vast that most Americans in the early 20th century couldn’t comprehend it. Born on July 8, 1908, in Bar Harbor, Maine, his life began with a silver...