Newspaper research foundations
Start with the research question before you search a newspaper
Turn a family-history hunch into a clear question, an evidence target, and a search brief you can actually use.
Research guides
Research historical newspapers from question to evidence
A beginner-friendly route through newspaper coverage, searching, access and evidence preservation.
A complete newspaper research journey
These guides follow the work in the order a beginner usually needs it: define the question, identify the likely newspaper, test coverage, search imperfect scans, choose an access route and preserve what you find. You can read them in order or open the one that matches the problem in front of you.
Keep the question narrow: a newspaper can provide useful context and clues, but a newspaper item does not automatically prove identity, relationships or every detail printed in it.
Choose the guide that matches your next decision
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Choosing a newspaper
Find the right newspaper for a family-history question
Identify the newspaper title, edition, and local relationship most likely to carry the evidence you need.
Coverage planning
Build a newspaper coverage map before you search for names
Track places, dates, titles, surviving issues, gaps, and repositories so an empty newspaper search means something.
Search technique
How to search historical newspapers when OCR gets names wrong
Use name variants, event language, page browsing and a research log when a newspaper archive search produces weak results.
Obituary research
How to find an old obituary when you only know the name and town
Work from death date, relatives, newspaper coverage and notice type to find historical obituaries without relying on one exact phrase.
Life events
How to find historical marriage, birth and family announcements
Search the changing language of marriage, birth, engagement and family notices using place, relationships and publication timing.
Historical Newspapers
How military, legal, and migration news can reveal family history
Match military reports, legal notices, and migration stories to the newspaper sections and source types most likely to hold useful family clues.
Historical Newspapers
How to use free and library access for historical newspapers
Find historical newspapers through public collections, libraries, microfilm, and institutional databases before you decide that a missing issue is unavailable.
Historical Newspapers
How to compare paid newspaper archives before you subscribe
Compare paid newspaper archives by exact title coverage, issue gaps, search tools, access, and current subscription terms before you spend money.
Historical Newspapers
How to verify and preserve a newspaper discovery
Record the title, date, page, wording, image or link, access date, and limits that make a newspaper discovery useful later.
Business and local life
How to use historical newspaper advertisements to trace a family business
Use historical newspaper advertisements, business notices and local columns to trace occupations, addresses, partnerships and family connections.
Women's family history
How to find female ancestors in old newspapers
Search old newspapers for women under maiden names, married names and a husband's name, then check local columns and confirm each match.
Everyday life in newspapers
How to find ancestors in historical newspaper social columns
Find ancestors in historical newspaper social columns by searching local notices for visits and community events, then check each clue against other records.
School and campus research
How to find ancestors in historical school and college newspapers
Search local and campus newspapers for an ancestor’s school life, then check publication titles, issue gaps and identity clues before drawing conclusions.
People and places in print
How to find ancestors in historical newspaper photographs
Use newspaper photographs, captions and archive finding aids to investigate a possible ancestor, then check each identification against other evidence.
Black press research
How to find ancestors in historic Black newspapers
Learn how to find African American newspapers for your ancestor’s community, search likely titles and issues, and check each mention against other evidence.
Disaster and event research
How to find ancestors in old newspaper disaster reports
Search historic newspaper reports of fires, floods, storms and accidents. Follow coverage across issues and check each name against independent records.
Immigrant-language newspaper research
How to find ancestors in immigrant-language newspapers
Look for family clues in the language papers people read after settling. Search names across scripts, follow community ties and verify what notices actually say.
Religious newspaper research
How to find ancestors in historical religious newspapers
Trace family clues in church and denominational papers. Follow a title's history, check surviving issues, read local reports and test each apparent connection.
Workers and the labor press
How to find ancestors in historical labor newspapers
Find ancestors in historical labor newspapers by tracing a documented workplace to a possible union paper, then checking names against independent records.
Community sport and local papers
How to find an adult amateur athlete in old newspapers
Find an ancestor on an adult town or community team using old newspaper fixtures, match reports and rosters. Check each printed name against other records.
Fairs and agricultural shows
How to find ancestors in county fair newspaper reports
Find ancestors in old county fair newspaper reports. Trace event notices, exhibitor lists and awards, then check each name against other records.
Newspaper research
How to identify and date an old newspaper clipping
Identify and date an old newspaper clipping from its wording, reverse-side clues and full-page layout. Check the issue date and record any unresolved source.
Names and identity
How to find an ancestor with a common name in old newspapers
Find an ancestor with a common name in old newspapers by narrowing searches with documented clues, separating namesakes and checking each possible match.
Addresses and local history
How to find an ancestor's address in old newspapers
Find an ancestor's address in old newspapers, distinguish a home from a business or visit, and compare dated records before assuming a move.