White Trash: A History of Class in America

Posted on March 9, 2017 by mjnrootdig

The genealogist who fails to understand social history does themselves and their ancestors a grave injustice. It is in an attempt to broaden my understanding of social history that I decided to purchase the somewhat provocatively titled, White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America after seeing it mentioned on Elizabeth Shown Mills’ Evidence Explained blog.

It’s not going to mention types of records that are more inclined to reference those ancestors who are cashless and landless.

It’s not going to provide research case studies of families who were cashless and landless.

But maybe it will add to my perspective.

After all, not all of our ancestors were well off enough to leave an abundance of records. Anything that might help us understand some of their struggles can help us to more effectively research them and tell their story as best we can.

3 thoughts on “White Trash: A History of Class in America”

Virginia Brizendine says:

March 9, 2017 at 8:21 pm

I bought “Hillbilly Elegy” by J. D. Vance for the same reason.

Reply
- Katherine Redwine says:
  
  March 11, 2017 at 9:33 am
  
  Reading both really gives you a perspective on a frequently overlooked segment of the population
  
  Reply
Janice Harshbarger says:

March 9, 2017 at 10:56 pm

I’m reading “Stamped from the Beginning” which is mostly about the black experience, but is an eye opener to anyone who had ancestors who were white, actually-or black. Reading a book outside of our research zone, or in this case, comfort zone, can be most enlightening.

Reply