If you’ve checked out TheyHadNames.net recently, you might have noticed that it’s sporting a fresh new look! This is the first major revamp since the site transitioned from a simple WordPress blog to a full-fledged website. Over the past seven years, I’ve been adding content bit by bit, and it was definitely time for a complete reorganization and redesign.
Everything that was on the site is still here. The search bar remains at the top of each page, making it easy to find what you’re looking for. The goal of this redesign is to help new visitors discover all the resources available and get inspired for their research in other counties.
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a new “People” page (under “Research” in the menu). In the past, my research on individuals who submitted U.S. Southern Claims Commission petitions was tucked away at the beginning of each transcript. Now, I’ve separated these into their own files, making it easier to access. Each person’s file is titled with their name, and I’ve included links to the corresponding SCC claims. Additionally, the “People” section features other research studies I’ve conducted on individuals, including both African Americans and enslavers. I hope this makes your research journey smoother and helps me visualize future additions.
As I dove into this redesign, I realized just how long it’s been since I made a major update to the site. A lot has changed with WordPress and the Elementor editor since then! To navigate these changes, I enlisted the help of ChatGPT. It was a game-changer, saving me a ton of time and helping me explore new possibilities. While it sometimes struggled with the nitty-gritty details of plugins (like figuring out if the free versions meet my needs), overall, it was simply amazing.
For those of you who’ve been with me since the beginning, you already know my story. But if you’re newer to the site, I’ve also updated the “About Us” page (under “About” in the menu). Feel free to check it out if you’re curious!
If you run into any issues finding something you used to access, please don’t hesitate to reach out. All suggestions are welcome!