Browse Our Essays

  • Are You a Good Neighbor Behind the Wheel?

    Most of you are conscientious most of the time. But when you’re not, you risk maiming or killing someone.… Continue reading → Read more

  • How to Insult City Residents

    How to Insult City Residents

    Originally published in the Buffalo News, September 20, 2000 p. B-2. It has since been edited. Illustration from PowerThesaurus.org. My fellow residents of the City of Good Neighbors have probably had this experience many times over. We are somewhere in… Continue reading → Read more

  • Finding Buffalo Orphanage Records

    Finding Buffalo Orphanage Records

    Cholera and other epidemics, maternal mortality, military service, dangerous factory conditions, fires and floods, diseases that are easily curable today: there are lots of reasons why children lost one or both parents in 19th century Buffalo.… Continue reading → Read more

  • Is Buffalo the Most Segregated City in the US?

    Is Buffalo the Most Segregated City in the US?

    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?… Continue reading → Read more

  • Why Are the Sunday Comics So Bad?

    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. … Continue reading → Read more

  • 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. Read more

  • A Tedious Essay About Government Record-Keeping Practices

    What is the New York State Archives and why does it matter outside of Albany?… Continue reading → Read more

  • I Can’t Find A Book Online, Now What?

    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.… Continue reading → Read more

  • Why You Need an Archive.org Account

    Why You Need an Archive.org Account

    In which we answer the burning question, “Where can I put my stuff online?”… Continue reading → Read more

  • Who wants to crowdsource Buffalo place names?

    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. … Continue reading → Read more