In the days following the May 14 massacre in Buffalo, lots of claims about the extent of racial segregation appeared in the media.We are the most segregated city in America, some said. We’re the 4th or 6th most segregated. We’re the 17th. Which is it?
Author Archives: Cynthia Van Ness
Why Are the Sunday Comics So Bad?
Because I am middle aged and need to get in training for my cranky Get off my lawn years, and because I’m in a pandemic with long hours sitting at home, I did a study of the Sunday comics section in the Buffalo News.
Top Ten Tiresome Tropes
My essays are usually about research and history. Today, I felt like listing some pop culture plot devices from movies, TV, and novels that are long overdue for retirement. The amateur woman sleuth has a cop boyfriend who violates the confidentiality of investigations and conveniently feeds her clues, a cozy mystery cliche. Bicycle use asContinue reading “Top Ten Tiresome Tropes”
Finding Buffalo House Plans
Are there drawings and plans for my house? This page attempts to answer that question.
A Tedious Essay About Government Record-Keeping Practices
What is the New York State Archives and why does it matter outside of Albany?
I Can’t Find A Book Online, Now What?
Millions of books are now online. But not every book in the world has been digitized or will be. You may need to track it down in hard copy. We have 8 suggestions for you.
Why You Need an Archive.org Account
In which we answer the burning question, “Where can I put my stuff online?”
Who wants to crowdsource Buffalo place names?
Anyone up for crowdsourcing Buffalo-area place names? By which I mean neighborhood nicknames such as Elmwood Village or The Hooks.
A Prediction About “Draft Dodger” Discourse
What happens when draft dodgers start to die off? Probably a lot of distortion and false claims of glory.
Top Twenty Reasons for Municipal Sidewalk Plowing in Buffalo
Nowhere else in municipal management do we fine or shame private citizens for failing to maintain public property.