Family announcements
Looking for an obituary or family announcement?
A notice might name relatives, a former hometown or a place of burial. Search beyond the full name, then check the details against what you already know.
Find an old obituaryNewspaper research guides and archive comparisons
Find your ancestors in historical newspapers
Looking for an obituary, marriage notice or mention of a family business? Learn which newspapers to search, what to try when a name brings up nothing, and where to find free, library or paid access.
Coverage before cost Free routes included
A search that has stalled
No results for your ancestor's name?
The page may be there even when the search index misses the name. Try initials, relatives and addresses, or browse the likely issue.
Work around missed namesWorking life
Was there a shop or trade in the family?
Advertisements and business notices can give you addresses, occupations and partners to follow through other records.
Trace a family businessArchive comparisons
Check the newspaper before choosing a subscription
The important detail is whether an archive has the newspaper and issues you need. Check free collections and library access before paying for a personal subscription.
Archive profile
Newspapers.com
Check the title and dates you need, then consider search tools and alternatives.
Archive profile
GenealogyBank
Questions to check about its US newspaper and obituary collections before subscribing.
Two archives compared
Newspapers.com vs GenealogyBank
Compare the two services against the same newspaper, dates and research question.
Plan the search and keep the evidence
Find help with your newspaper search
New to newspaper research?
See what old newspapers can reveal about your family and where a search begins. Most guides focus on US newspapers, with British and Irish sources where relevant.
Keep track of which issues are available
Record the titles, dates and gaps you have checked so you do not repeat the same search in a different archive.
Found something? Check it and save the source
Check whether the item concerns your ancestor, separate its wording from your interpretation, and record enough detail to find it again.
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