Author Archives: michaeljdouma
Georg Weisserman
Could it be true that George Washington was actually a German immigrant named “Georg Weisserman”? New research indicates that this is a distinct possibility. A Virginia man claims to have found a 18th century diary in a German archive that proves just this. George, or Georg, as he was known in his hometown of Hannover, […]
A Natural Reserve of History
Spring is in full bloom here in the mountains of Hampshire County, West Virginia. A few irises have popped up, and I’ve got mint growing in the garden. Sitting at the kitchen table for breakfast, I watched a turkey strut through the yard. Days like today are perfect for hosting visitors and talking about the […]
Meeting the Neighbors by Talking about History
Yesterday, I stopped at a yard sale about a mile from where I live. There was nothing I wanted to buy (although I discovered that it is legal to sell guns at yard sales in West Virginia!). Anyway, I introduced myself as a new neighbor from down the way, and that I had purchased land […]
A Trip to the Hampshire County Archives
It started with a deed search. I wanted to learn more about my property’s history. But fifteen minutes after I had arrived at the Hampshire County Courthouse, I was sitting in the Clerk’s office, chatting with him about history. The clerk showed me his historical treasures: a Civil War letter rescued from Ohio and returned […]
Twice the Processing Power
Word processing. On the left is s Remington Portable Model 5, and on the right a Remington Noiseless model seven. The seven was considerably more expensive than the 5, but the 5 is my favorite. It’s a full education trying to figure out all of the levers on these things.
A Field Guide to the Wild American BUD LIGHT CAN, State flower of West Virginia
The Bud Light Can (Canus Budus Litus), is a hardy superabundant species of aluminum can with a range contiguous to the borders of the American lower forty-eight states, Alaska, Hawaii, parts of Canada and Mexico. Occasional specimens have been found in other countries, where it is often considered an invasive species. Reports of a Bud […]
Perspective
With my historical vision, I can see clearly hundreds of years into the past. But, looking forward, I don’t have a clue what I have scheduled next week Tuesday. All I know is that Wimpy is supposed to pay me back for a hamburger.
Civil War Script
I’ve been reading hundreds of these Civil War letters from local judges declaring foreign residents fit or unfit for the draft. A good way to test your cursive reading skills. How long does it take you to read it?
The bell curve of anti-slavery and abolitionism
Let the publication train keep on rolling! Choo Choo. This one was inspired by a facebook conversation. The image may appear in my forthcoming book. http://www.learnliberty.org/blog/the-bell-curve-of-anti-slavery/
Little Chrome Football Guy
Friends of mine, and readers of this blog (if there are any?) will know that I am renovating a 100 year old barn. It’s hard to tell how many generations have used the barn, but as I excate and renovate, I’ve found layers of old stuff. This is another barn archaeology find today. Its heavy […]
