By The Refresh Editors 

If you’re new to The Refresh, it might come as a surprise to see that nestled among the latest book post or soul-baring personal essay are glimpses into history. We’re delighted to work with writers who look into the past as a means of better understanding our present and future worlds — and ultimately to remind readers that even though we could easily consider the current time to be a bit politically tumultuous, ups and downs have always happened and people have always found a way to rise towards better lives.

If you want to engage in some time-traveling, check out the following links.

Unlost: A 1939 London Blitz Evacuation Story 

During World War II, a generation of British children was evacuated from London, spending their early years in the countryside with families they had never met before. One of those children was Genevieve Lowles’s grandmother. Genevieve tells the true tale of her grandmother’s country years, and how they helped shape her into the woman she is today.

Bessie, Willa, and Janet: Unsung Heroines in Aviation History

Demress Stockman inspires us to think beyond the Wright brothers and Amelia Earhart when we think of pioneers in aviation. At the crossroads of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, she explored the achievements of Bessie Coleman, Willa Brown and Janet Harmon Waterford Bragg. These women faced unique obstacles and carved out a legacy. Reading this piece will make you want to re-write the history books that omitted them.

The Stories We Become: Tips for Tracing Your Genealogical Roots

Genealogy tests with Ancestry.com and 23 and Me are all the rage, but they’re not the only options for tracing your roots. Lauren Jonik writes about where her passion for genealogy started, the journey it’s taken her on and the tips she learned along the way – for both online and offline research. If you’re already deep into the process and want more guidance, check out Lauren’s follow-up piece, Genealogy Research: Tips for Tacking Old Records.

7 Amazing Inventions that Debuted at World’s Fairs

What do X-Rays, elevators and ice cream cones have in common? Author Dawn Raffel‘s research World’s Fair inventions both fleeting and enduring. Learn some fun facts about the where tools and treats we take for granted today rose to initial popularity.

5 Real-life Sisters Who Inspired Historical Fiction Novels 

Have you ever read a book hoping that the smart, daring, intriguing heroine was real? Look to historical fiction for stories based on real women in history, and to Elise Hooper – a historical fiction author herself – as your guide. Here, she compiles a list of books based on real-life sister duos and peeks at the lives behind the pages.