The Archeological Society of Virginia has published “Twin Paths to Freedom: The History and Archaeology of James City County’s Free Black Communities” by historian Martha W. McCartney of Williamsburg and Hudgins.

The book describes the history and material culture of two early 19th century communities of former slaves and provides an overview of the conditions under which they lived.

McCartney, a graduate of the College of William and Mary, has served as a consultant to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, National Park Service, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, three state universities, and several contract archaeology firms and historic preservation groups. A recipient of the NSDAR’s National History Award, she recently received an American Heroes award from the National Society, Daughters of Colonial Wars.

McCartney, who serves on the board of the Mathews County Historical Society, has written 13 books. They include “Mathews County,...