How & Where to Research Newspapers for Genealogy and Family History
Table of Contents
Introduction
This tutorial aims to guide you through the process of researching newspapers for genealogy and family history. Newspapers are rich sources of historical data, offering insights into the lives of our ancestors. This guide will detail what types of information you can find in newspapers and where to access them online.
Chapter 1: What You Can Find in Newspapers
Newspapers contain a wealth of information that can aid your genealogy research. Here are some key categories of content you may find:
- Obituaries: Often detailed, obituaries can provide vital information about your ancestors' lives.
- Marriage and Engagement Announcements: These can help you trace family connections.
- Birth Announcements: Useful for confirming family lineage.
- Divorce or Abandonment Notices: Historical records of marital status changes.
- Real Estate Transactions: Information about property ownership and transfers.
- Community Events: Insights into local happenings and social circles.
- Court Proceedings: Records of legal actions can reveal family issues or disputes.
- Ship or Train Arrival Notices: Helpful for tracking immigrant ancestors.
- Social Columns: Informal community updates that can offer personal anecdotes.
- Want Ads: Listings for goods and services that may involve your ancestors.
- School Achievements: Recognition of students in the community.
Chapter 2: Where to Read Old Newspapers Online
Several online platforms provide access to historical newspapers. Here's how to navigate some of the most popular resources:
Ancestry.com
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Access the Card Catalog:
- Go to the search drop-down menu and select “Card Catalog.”
- Search for “newspaper periodicals.”
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Filter by Location:
- Drill down by state or era to find newspapers relevant to your ancestors.
Newspapers.com
- Subscription Required: This site offers access to images of newspapers.
- Use Ancestry.com for Indexing: If you have an Ancestry subscription, check if it includes a Newspapers.com subscription.
FamilySearch
- Research Section: While not a primary source for newspapers, FamilySearch provides links and information on where to find newspapers.
Google News
- Free Access: Visit news.google.com/newspapers to search through a collection of archived newspapers.
GenealogyBank
- Access the Site: This is a subscription service with a strong collection of obituaries and other records.
- Search by Paper or Title: You can browse by state or specific titles.
Other Resources
- NewspaperArchive.com: Subscription-based, pay as you go.
- Internet Archive: Free access to some newspapers at archive.org/details/newspapers.
- Europeana: Free access to European newspapers.
- FindMyPast: Subscription service focused on UK and Irish records.
- MyHeritage: Has a newspaper collection accessible through their site.
Chapter 3: Handouts and Further Learning
To enhance your learning, handouts with links to resources and additional information are available. Here’s how to access them:
- Channel Membership: Join at the Info Access level to download handouts from the community tab.
- Patreon Subscription: Sign up at the Happy Dance level for direct handout delivery via email.
- Individual Purchase: Handouts can be bought at genealogytv.org.
Conclusion
Researching newspapers can significantly enrich your genealogy and family history projects. With a variety of online resources available, you can uncover valuable information about your ancestors’ lives. Start by exploring the types of data newspapers can provide and utilize the listed online platforms to access historical records. Don't forget to download the handouts for more detailed information and resources. Happy researching!