How to Google newspaper records for ancestry research.
Newspapers can contain much genealogical information—obituaries, births, marriages, deaths; legal notices; estate transactions; biographies; military service, and immigration. They provide insight into life at a given moment in time. It answers questions like, What world events shaped their lives? What neighborhood happenings occurred? What fashions were being advertised, and what was their cost? What were the food brands and other household items used, and their cost? What were the forms of entertainment on a Saturday night? What opportunities were there in the want ads? Was there a letter waiting at the post office?
Google Ancestor Newspapers
Table of Contents
- Planning to Google Ancestor Newspapers
- Types of Ancestor Newspaper Projects
- Useful Newspaper Articles Narratives and Genealogy
- Google Ancestor Newspaper Digitized Collections
- Google Ancestor Newspapers
- Google Other Ancestor Records
Many current newspapers are online, and an increasing number of older newspapers are being digitized, or portions transcribed and put online. If you can’t find what you need online, you can find a microfilmed copy that can be obtained through an interlibrary loan.
Planning to Google Ancestor Newspapers
Understand the scope of your search. Consider what your search will include: A specific individual? A direct line? A collateral line? Some combination of any of the above? Are you simply looking for obituaries, or are you looking for all family-related articles? What do you know about the individuals you seek?
Learn as much as possible about the person you will search for. You will better understand possible topics to search for associated with your ancestors. For example, when I was researching the life of my wife’s grandfather, I learned that he was an avid reader and helped at the community library. In the local newspaper, I found a series of articles associated with his leadership in organizing the community to build the library. At the time, the information didn’t mean much to me, but it was influential in raising my level of awareness. Some of the sources from which you can gather information about your ancestor include the following:
- Verbal discussions with family, friends, acquaintances
- Written histories
- Photos
- Grave inscriptions
- Official records (such as birth and death certificates, court records, and so on)
- Printed records (such as awards, news articles, newsletters)
- Correspondence (notes, letters, postcards)
- Recorded interviews (whether on tape or video)
- News reports (from TV, radio, newspaper, or Internet news sources)
The better the search possibilities, the more information you can find. Articles in the newspaper are written about every conceivable topic. Information can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Places lived and periods
- Birth, marriage, or death dates of individuals in your search
- Names of family, siblings, and who married (including key dates)
- Elementary, middle school or junior high, high school, college (including their interests and activities during school years, such as sports, piano, dance, or club membership)
- Awards, contests, or promotions (in religious, school, military, or club groups)
- Profession
- Places worked
- Hobbies and interests
- Dramatic events (serious illness, wreck, shutting down of plant)
- Important local, regional, and national events (depression, war)
- Favorite holidays or family traditions
- Favorite places to visit
- Names of essential friends and family
- Military service
- Organizations of affiliation
- Church/religious affiliation and service
- Organize what you know by date or period, and place
Types of Ancestor Newspaper Projects
One project comprised the collection of obituaries of my direct lines (four generations, including their siblings and spouses). Another project entailed writing life histories of direct lines (including articles of siblings and families as found). In both of these projects, local newspapers proved to be very helpful in finding the information I sought.
Example 1: As I researched newspapers, I tracked James Master from 1910 until his death at age eighty-nine. Newspaper finds it depicted his service in WWI, run for community office, service to the Icelandic community, church service, business life, service in community organizations, and personal profiles. I gathered a total of thirty articles that included snippets of his life, thoughts, and interests; people he was involved with that were essential to him; thoughts that others had about him; and photos at different stages of his life.
Example 2: I followed Lawrence Allred’s high school and college sports career from 1948 through 1952—thirty-eight articles in various local newspapers.
Here are a few “out of the box” ways newspaper files can be used:
- Developing written family histories (historical facts and stories to support and expand verbal histories collected).
- Post articles on websites as artifacts for others to use (such as obituaries, personal family profiles, or wedding announcements).
- Creating slide presentations that others can view.
- Creating source CDs or DVDs to share files with other family members (which will cut down duplication of efforts).
Useful Newspaper Articles Narratives and Genealogy
The following is a list of the type of newspapers articles I have found to be useful in writing narratives and building individual and family profiles in genealogy.
Obituary or death listing
Information about an event, such as a death, can range from a small mention to volumes about the individual. Before 1940, there were usually two or more accounts of a person passing: a death notice, a life sketch or obituary, and a record of funeral services. The information was printed within one to three weeks of the person’s death in a local or regional newspaper. It was not uncommon to be on the front page, with the article extending to another page. Information in local and regional papers can vary (providing more information about a person). Articles were free publication and did not usually include photos. Look for a unique headline announcing a person’s death.
After 1940, there were usually two or fewer accounts of death—a death notice and a life sketch or obituary. The articles did not require a fee to be published until about 1960. You will notice that local and regional papers were standardized to include the exact details, and information was located in the “deaths” or “obituary” section of a newspaper.
Strategies for Historical Research in Newspapers-Part 1
Part 1 and 2 are an introduction to what is in the newspaper and how to develop research strategies to support individual and family research. In Part 1, learn about the newspaper and what articles are written for death events, birth and marriage events and much more. In Part 2, learn about military-related articles, including where to find and prepare and research articles in the newspaper.
After 1960, death notices or obituaries usually included a photo. Obituaries and death listings can provide place names; places of birth; places where individuals lived during their lifetime; places of death; places where children of the deceased lived; places where most relatives lived.
Death notice and place of the funeral
This information is usually written and given to the newspaper by the funeral home. You may find the date of burial, place of funeral service, place of internment or burial, and name of the funeral home.
Life sketch or obituary
The life sketch is written and placed by the family, funeral home, reporter, or a combination of those people. You may find a photo (sometimes more than one); date and place of birth; date and place of death; information about parents, spouses, or children; place of residence; occupation; professional organizations they belonged to; church affiliation and service; military service; hobbies and interests; significant accomplishments; funeral home; and cause of death.
Funeral proceeding or program
The program is written and placed by the family, funeral home, reporter, or a combination of those people. You may find church affiliation and service; the name of pastor or church leaders; names of friends and family; pall bearers; topics of speeches; and songs sung.
Birth or christening announcement
These types of articles were not expected before 1900, and they are usually listed one to three weeks after birth and include the parents’ names and the sex of the child.
Wedding announcement
These articles were not standard before 1940. After 1940, you can expect to find announcements of brides to be married, including a photo of the bride and limited information about the groom and family. Look in the society pages for wedding announcements. They are usually listed within eight weeks before the marriage, but I have found them listed as six months—or even longer—before the wedding. The article usually exists for first marriages only. During the 1960s, wedding announcements in newspapers started including photos of couples rather than only of the bride. Different newspapers may have different photos of the bride or couple, so check a few local newspapers.
Wedding vows
These articles are not expected before 1940. Articles about wedding vows range from a brief mention of the license to the ceremony and reception details, and they often include a photo of the couple. Look in the society pages one to eight weeks after the marriage for wedding vow articles.
Wedding anniversary (25th, 50th)
These articles are not expected before 1940. After 1940, they include an announcement of the couple, some life details, and a couple’s photo. Look in society pages about six weeks before or after the marriage date. Information can include the place of celebration, date of the open house, etc.
Birthday announcement or open house
These articles are not expected before 1940. After 1940, you begin to see announcements for one-year-olds, including photos and the parents’ names. You also begin to see announcements for open houses for individuals sixty-five years old (or older) and include a photo, a short bio, and the open-house location.
Strategies for Historical Research in Newspapers-Part 2
Part 1 and 2 are an introduction to what is in the newspaper and how to develop research strategies to support individual and family research. In Part 2, learn about military-related articles, including where to find and prepare and research articles in the newspaper. In Part 1, learn about the newspaper and what articles are written for death events, birth and marriage events and much more.
Society news and local gossip
Up through 1940, these articles were a common occurrence and were usually only a few lines long. The article usually includes names and relationships. Community residents would submit tidbits of interest such as travel, birthdays, parties or gatherings, illness, job promotion, and visitors.
Public announcements and advertisements
Public announcement articles provide listings of property sold at public sales—usually livestock, farm equipment, and personal property. The advertisements are related to personal or company services, insolvent debtors, forced land or sheriff’s sales, runaway slaves, and missing relatives.
Period advertisements
Look for articles about proprietors of local stores to find out more about the period. The ads include types of goods used, styles of the period, cost of goods, and prevailing themes from ad slogans or writings.
Business and community service
These articles are usually pressed announcements from businesses and organizations covering community involvement of businesses and organizations and committees and action groups that invite community involvement. Articles can include meeting announcements, organization highlights, community programs and events plans, economic contributions to the community, and award ceremonies.
Legal notices
These articles can include judicial actions, land sales for payment of taxes, divorce proceedings, settlement of estates, and which parties were involved.
Unclaimed mail lists
These articles are usually found before 1900, and they are listed infrequently. Relatives usually send information to the family’s destination, which helps identify ancestors who pulled up roots before receiving their mail.
Church-related articles
These are usually located on the front page of a small paper, but they can be located on society pages. The articles were used as filler, so sometimes they can be included anywhere. Church-related newspaper articles were usually found in LDS communities and include missionary announcements (leaving and coming home); new bishoprics; Stake organizations and proceedings; athletic outcomes; stake events (such as Priesthood, Relief Society, Primary, youth groups, Seminary); ward events (such as Blue and Green Balls or youth groups); talks and doctrine; new arrivals in pioneer companies (1850-1870); church actions (such as excommunications, before 1890). Other church-centered articles and announcements can include new members, baptisms, confirmations, and new clergy or other appointments.
Military-related news
Usually found on front pages, society pages, or obituary pages. Articles can include photos, drawings, diagrams, and maps. You will find articles relating to increased tensions that appear up to one year before the war and other news about one year after the war. The type of articles you will see during the war can include lists of soldiers from the community; enlistment rolls; names of those wounded, missing, or killed in action; training completion announcements; assignment changes; awards, commendations, or medals earned; community drives for the war effort; letters sent home; gatherings of war veterans; and homecomings.
School news and activities
These types of articles include honor rolls; graduation ceremonies; class projects and programs; contest participants and winners; local and regional competitions, such as sports, clubs, band, and choir; class and club officers; school events (sports, drama, clubs); awards given to students and teachers; school board minutes; school board appointments; and new teachers. Articles often included photos, a list of children and their names, and a description of the events.
Correspondents
Small towns near communities with newspapers often had correspondents who were part-time reporters. There was no timetable as to the frequency of a correspondent’s reports. Correspondents often wrote for a few papers (maybe for hometown and a regional paper). They usually were not trained journalists but had some writing skills. The news they reported ranged from gossip and happenings to front-page stories.
Letters to the editor
These articles were a mixture of ideas or themes for which individuals were passionate on a local, regional, national, or international level. Letters to the editor may have included thoughts about articles written, personal issues an individual wished to sound off about, a public thank you or apology, “Tattle-tale” reports of happenings, and many other topics.
Articles supporting the life story
Use the newspaper to find newspaper articles that can support, explain, or expand the stories of individuals and families. This has been an essential feature of newspapers for me.
Google Ancestor Newspaper Digitized Collections
More and more newspaper collections are being indexed and digitally put online every day. Make sure you check to see what collections have been digitized and where they are located. Many local newspapers are now online, starting from the late 1990s. However, the information available is limited to the period they have been online.
Suppose you are fortunate enough to find a historical newspaper collection that has been digitized. In that case, it will usually be indexed, allowing you to search by name, keyword, newspaper title, date, or location. Most of the indexing on digital collections is performed via advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, which automatically recognizes text within an image. The extent to which the newspaper is indexed depends on the quality of the image. If there are quality limitations to an image, the index search results will not be as accurate. For this reason, you may find some results for images that do not contain the exact word for which you searched.
Check for special projects
As part of your search for newspapers, check with the local library and historical or genealogical society to see if there has been an “obituary project” (where individuals have gone through the local papers to identify the names and dates of obituaries) and if so, where they are located.
Google Ancestor Newspapers
The following are sample search queries you can use to find online databases for newspapers:
Searching for free state databases
- “newspapers” “Illinois” 1920..1940
- “digital newspaper program” “Arizona”
- “digital newspaper collection” “Washington”
- “digital newspapers” “Utah”
- “historic newspapers” “Washington”
- “newspapers” “Minnesota” 1900..1950
- “digital OR historic” “newspaper” “collection OR project” “Illinois”
- “digital newspaper collection or project” “Baltimore” 1920..1940
Searching free online databases
- “newspapers digital or collection” site:familysearch.org (FamilySearch)
- “Alabama” “newspapers digital or collection” site:familysearch.org (FamilySearch)
- “newspapers digital or collection” site:rootsweb.ancestry.com (RootsWeb)
- “Georgia” “newspapers digital or collection” site:rootsweb.ancestry.com (RootsWeb)
- “newspapers” site:news.google.com/newspapers (Google News Newspapers)
- “Florida” “newspapers” site: news.google.com/newspapers (RootsWeb)
Searching Subscription Databases
- “newspapers” site:ancestry.com (Ancestry)
- “newspapers” site:genealogybank.com (GenealogyBank)
- “newspapers” site:newspaperarchive.com (NewspaperArchive)
- “newspapers” site:newspapers.com (Newspapers)
- “newspapers” site: myheritage.com (MyHeritage)
- “newspapers” site:archives.com (Archives)
- “newspapers” site: findmypast.com (FindMyPast)
Google Other Ancestor Records
The following is an overview of the common 18 types of ancestor records that I have found constantly valuable in my historical and genealogy research and hundreds of other resources I have learned to research and use through the years. When I mastered researching these resources, I could quickly expand my research to other records to help me connect the pieces of my genealogy puzzle.
In my profile of each resource, I have included what you will find, how to use the resource, and research insights for each resource. I would encourage you to use this section as a starting point from which you can search out and find other genealogical tutorials, and guides that help to provide deeper insights. The common websites that researchers first think of are Ancestry, Archives, FamilySearch, FindMyPast and MyHeritage.
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