Digitized newspapers are a tremendous research source for historians and genealogists.
But, because of pending contract issues at GenealogyBank, some might disappear from the site this month. That would leave a huge gap in research sources for many of us. GenealogyBank.com is one of many great sites with a wide selection of newspapers from various places. But not all the sites offer the same things.
Early Atlanta papers are found on the Digital Library of Georgia’s site, where a large number of Georgia newspapers can be found for free. The Atlanta Constitution is digitized on ProQuest, and editions from 1868-1984 can be viewed at the Georgia Archives, but only in house. Newspapers.com, which is part of Ancestry, also carries back issues of the Constitution from 1868 until well into the 20th century, along with many other newspapers. It’s one of my favorite sites. There is also NewspaperArchive.com.
Remember that most major cities had two rival newspapers and usually only one has been digitized. Researchers must use microfilm to access the other. Besides UGA’s Digital Library, other states have similar free public sites, including DigitalNC.org and South Carolina’s historicnewspapers.sc.edu. South Carolina’s colonial Charleston papers (1732-1775) are found at Accessible Archives. So check out your favorites and be sure not to put off your research, as you never know when some contract dispute, or other issue, might just upset your research plans.
Home Sources Checklist
A “home sources checklist” is included in the December issue of Family Tree Magazine on newsstands now, or see familytreemagazine.com and the free downloads. The checklist is divided into personal records, news clippings, financial paperwork, heirloom textiles, photos and memorabilia, and court and property documents. These are important areas to organize your family materials around.
Genealogy research memos
If you are the family genealogist, you should write a short memo (five pages or less) on one topic and share with other family members. Write it like a story (but with documentation) and make it easy to understand. To get others interested, don’t overload them with all the family “begats” like in the Bible.
