"Matthew Jones at Yahoo News introduces ancestorsonboard.com, a project of the Great Britain's National Archives. It digitizes and makes searchable the manifests of all outward bound passenger ships leaving the British Islands between 1890 and 1960. It could be invaluable to researchers in family history. Thanks to Dale Light of Light Seeking Light for the tip.

Thanks to Robert Townsend at AHA Today, you can compare the original and the amended texts of the AHA's resolution against"free speech zones" and its resolution against the war in Iraq. The latter resolution will be submitted to the AHA membership for ratification. Without a majority of votes in that plebiscite, it will not be considered an official statement of the AHA. Similarly, at AHA Today, Elizabeth Grant posts the text of a letter from Barbara Weinstein, Linda Kerber, and Arnita Jones to Atlanta's Mayor Shirley Franklin to protest the arrest and incarceration of Felipe Fernández-Armesto. The matter is under local investigation.

My friend, Dimitri Rotov at Civil War Bookshelf [scroll down; his permalinks aren't working.], apparently believes that I was too dismissive of claims made about quilt/codes in Hidden in Plain View. Dimitri should consult the discussions I referenced on H-Slavery (though there have been earlier ones, the most recent begins here) and apparently thinks I've made up my mind before all the evidence is in. Well, yes, I'm doubtful that George Washington was a transvestite in private moments, but I'm willing to look at your evidence of it.

Finally, Ed Darrell at Millard Fillmore's Bathtub wants to know how many states have pledges of allegiance to the state flag. Texas law requires public school students to repeat pledges to the United States' and the state flag every school day. So far, Ed's got the text for pledges in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas. Alabama's another one, Ed:"Flag of Alabama I salute thee. To thee I pledge my allegiance, my service, and my life." And then I wash my mouth out with soap.