Now That's a Dress!

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Finding images in military records is rare, but we do occasionally come across a photograph, a tintype, or even a daguerreotype in the files. This daguerreotype was found by a gentleman doing genealogy research on his family- he was not as excited, since apparently it was great-great-great grandad's 1st wife, and his family descended from the 3rd, but we were PUMPED. As a warning to those about to attempt tracking down family genealogy, people in the 19th century got married A LOT!

Your Own Personal Jesus

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"I like to picture Jesus in a tuxedo T-shirt. 'Cause it says like, I wanna be formal but I’m here to party too." This 1887 baptism certificate is one of the more elaborate we've come across. It belonged to the daughter of a Civil War veteran, and was submitted by his widow as proof of their marriage, so she could receive a pension.

In Memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt

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Some of you Ken Burns aficionados may already know this, but the memorial Franklin Delano Roosevelt actually wanted stands outside The National Archives. As the president who signed the enabling legislation to make the National Archives its own agency, FDR wished for a humble, unadorned memorial on the grounds outside. While we love the feeling and scope of the newer Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial; the peaceful, understated stone at the corner of 9th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. is definitely worth a visit.