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Category: A Personal Story

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Pauline Floyd: Youngest Woman to Practice Before the Supreme Court
Pauline Floyd was a pioneer and an excellent role model for women pursing a career in law. She was the youngest female lawyer admitted to practice before the Supreme Court.
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Uncovering the Stories Behind the Names on Headstones at D.C.'s Holy Rood Cemetery
Take a stroll through one of D.C.'s less visited cemeteries, Holy Rood Cemetery, and discover the stories behind the names on the headstones. From prominent doctors to Irish immigrants, uncover the past lives of the city's regular Washingtonians.
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The Voice of the Washington Senators: A Conversation with Phil Hochberg
Join us for a conversation with Phil Hochberg, the voice of the Washington Senators and Terps. Learn about Phil's Syracuse University days with Marv Albert and Ted Koppel and his amazing attachment to the historic fabric of Washington.
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The Tragic Leap from the Top of the Washington Monument in 1923
A morbid story from The Baltimore Sun, printed on March 10th, 1923. Read about Albert Birney Seip, a war veteran, who tragically leapt to his death from the top of the Washington Monument. Learn about Mrs. Mae Varney Cockrell, who made a similar death leap in 1915.
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Roland Ford: White House Police Officer and Crack Shot
We came across this photo of White House police officer Roland Ford in the Library of Congress archives. Source: Library of Congress We did a little digging to see what we could find on Roland. According to the U.S. Census record of 1940, he lived with his wife Maude and son little Roland at 1710 1st St. NE, in Eckington (Zillow). Roland Ford in the U.S. Census We went digging a little...
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Great First-Hand Description of Washington in 1800; Most Houses, Small Miserable Huts
Oliver Wolcott, Jr. We often wonder what the city was like in the early days. By all accounts, it was a miserable place to be. We dug up an interesting article in The Baltimore Sun from December 17th, 1853, which makes the same claims. The article quotes a letter written by Oliver Wolcott, Jr., written on July 4th, 1800 and addressed to his wife. At the time, Mr. Wolcott was the country’s...
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Uncovering the Life and Death of Nubby Nuckols, the 1930s D.C. Underlord
Discover the story of Nubby Nuckols, the 1930s D.C. underworld king. We look into his criminal career, his rise to prominence, and his untimely death.
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Exploring Washington's Baseball History: The Story of William J. Donovan and the Baseball House
Follow us as we explore the story of William J. Donovan and the Baseball House, a bar dedicated to the love of baseball in Washington D.C. back in the 19th century. Learn about William J. Donovan, his family, and the Baseball House puzzle he created.
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The Significance of the November Poppy and the Forgotten American Tradition of the "Buddy Poppy
Learn about the significance of the November Poppy and the forgotten American tradition of the "Buddy Poppy." Understand the history and importance of the tradition, and why it's important to consider its meaning and make an informed, personal choice before participating.
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The Duke of Abruzzi, Kitty Elkins and the Love That Never Was
The Duke of Abruzzi and Kitty Elkins had a scandalous, gossiped-about love affair, but it would not be so. Read the story of their 5 year courtship against all odds, and the surprising outcome of this forbidden love affair.
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The Unlikely Fairy Tale of Baron Bodisco and Harriet Williams: A May-December Romance in Gtown
Discover the unlikely fairy tale of Baron Bodisco and Harriet Williams, a May-December romance in Georgetown. Learn about the scandal, wedding and happy years together before his death and her remarriage. Follow the beautiful bride and famous groomsmen to the White House for dinner.
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Uncovering the Story of Morris S. Strock, a Radio Operator at the Bureau of Standards
Uncovering the story of Morris S. Strock, a radio operator at the Bureau of Standards in 1920's Washington DC. Through research, we piece together his journey from Iowa to California and his contributions to the advancement of radio.
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The Incredible Accomplishments of the Altman Siblings in Washington, DC
Get to know the incredible story of the Altman siblings in Washington, DC: Sylvia, Julian, & Elmer achieved great feats in music, academics, & more by the time they were just teenagers. Read their amazing story here!
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Discovering the Story of Officer Sprinkle and the Inspiration for our Logo
Learn the incredible story of Officer Sprinkle and how it led to the inspiration for our logo. Read the original biography from the 1908 Metropolitan Police Department's official history book, plus the original photo that inspired it!
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Remember Marjorie Morris? GoDCer Steve Finds Amazing Piece of Internet Gold!
GoDCer Steve recently found an amazing piece of Internet gold about Marjorie Morris, the intrepid young Washingtonian, noted for her wild adventures. Check out the amazing discovery and the Cleveland Park Historical Society website.
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Miriam Grew Up to be a 'Million Dollar' Realtor
Photos like this really captivate us. This is Miriam Auerbach at the age of 12 in 1924. Her father was Joseph Auerbach, clothing store merchant from Germany, who had arrived in the U.S. in 1906. He married her mother Edna, almost 20 years his junior, in 1919. Miriam and her younger brother, Joseph Jr., were both born in D.C. and grew up living at 1810 R St. NW (which doesn’t appear to be there...
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Uncovering the Story of Marjorie Morris: Documenting Her Trip Overseas and Reunion with Stanley Nishwitz
I was able to find two documents related to Marjorie Morris on Ancestry.com. Learn more about her trip overseas with her family in 1926, reunion with Stanley Nishwitz and her 1940 U.S. Census record with Daniel Sinclair.
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Washington D.C. Real Estate Dealer's Wild Divorce and Troubled Marriage
Learn the wild story of William F. Matteson, a real estate dealer in Washington D.C. who filed a divorce and two suits against his wife's lovers for the alleged alienation of her affections. Find out the results of the tumultuous legal battle and the drama that unfolded.
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The History of Cathedral Heights, From Wild Dogs to Real Estate Mogul William Matteson
Learn the unique history of Cathedral Heights, from its early days of wild dogs to real estate mogul William Matteson. Read an article from 1907 that announced the birth of Cathedral Highlands and the important role Matteson played in its development.
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Major Archibald Butt, D.C. Resident, Boards Titanic for Transatlantic Crossing
Archibald Willingham Butt was a successful and well-known military aide to presidents Roosevelt and Taft. He was fiercely loyal to both men and near the end of Taft’s term in 1912, it was clear that Roosevelt was disgruntled with Taft and would run against him. Major Butt was caught in the middle with equal but divided loyalties.
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The Anonymous Story of Robert Muir, the Cairo Hotel Manager from the 1910s
Discover the anonymous story of Robert Muir, the Cairo Hotel Manager from the 1910s. Learn about his life, marriage to Marie, and his tragic death in 1931.
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Officer Sprinkle: Captured Geronimo, Accused Bootlegger, and Bodyguard to President Wilson
A couple of reader comments about an Officer Sprinkle in this earlier post piqued my interest in finding out a little more about the guy who has the kind of name you’d give to a cat. An unforgettable name, so hopefully I’ll be able to dig up enough information on this guy to write a post worthy of being “A Personal Story.” Joshua Sprinkle – Boyd Joshua L. Sprinkle...
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The 1911 Marathon From Laurel to D.C. Won By Henry Elphinstone From Baltimore
In 1911, Henry Elphinstone from Baltimore won the marathon from Laurel to D.C., two minutes faster than the second-place runner. Read to learn more about the race, Henry Elphinstone's background and the results.
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A Major League Player from Columbia Heights: The Life and Career of Nick Altrock
Learn about Nick Altrock, former Major League baseball player who gained fame pitching for the Chicago White Sox in 1906, helping them win the World Series.
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