This course will introduce you to newspapers as a genealogical resource; from an introductory overview of newspapers, and a look at the history of American newspapers to accessing newspapers online. A look at how you may already be using newspapers will be examined. The different kinds of information, from basic vital record details to local news and historical or biographical items will be discussed with emphasis on how to get the most genealogical information by knowing what types of news items will have what kinds of facts and what may require additional research. Finally you will be introduced to the different ways to find and access newspapers including interlibrary loan, newspaper morgues, microfilm, and online.
One student’s experience:
To hear a student discussion regarding their experience with this course, please click here. (This is a large file and may take a minute or two to download.)
Course Content
Module 1
Introduction
Note about Web Addresses
Websites
Introduction to US Newspapers
• What Can Your Find In Newspapers?
A Look at the History of American Newspapers
• Preprinted Covers
• Advertising
• Serial Stories
Are You Studying or Perusing the Paper?
Understanding What You Are Reading
• Abbreviations
• Date Conventions
• Miscellaneous Other Terms
Using Indexes, Transcripts, and Abstracts
Citing Newspapers
• Print Edition
• Transcripts and Abstracts
Glossary
References
• Internet Resources
Module 2
Vital Statistrics In Newspapers
Overview of "Vital Statistics"
Death Notices and Obituaries
• Death Notices
• Obituaries
• Funeral Notices
• Memorials
• Official Lists of Dead
Marriage Announcements
• Engagement Notices
• Marriage License Notices
• Marriage Announcements
• Elopements
• Wedding Anniversaries
Birth Announcements
Module 3
Miscellaneous But Valuable News Stories
Local News
• Family News
• Voter Lists and Tax Lists
• Jury Lists
• School News and Events
• Social News and Events
• Society News and Events
• Church News and Eventsv
• Fraternal Organization News and Events
• Political Meetings
• Gossip
Biographical Sketches and Historical Items
Legal Notices
• Land Sales to Pay Taxes or Creditors
• Estates and Heirs
• Court Trials
• Court Notices
• Divorces
Public Announcements
Shipping and Business News
Module 4
Finding Newspapers
Websites
Strategies for Finding Newspaper Titles & Collections
Bibliographies, Union Lists, and Directories
• Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media
• History and Bibliography of American Newspapers, 1690-1820
• American Newspapers 1821-1936, A Union List of Files Available in the United States and Canada
• Other References
Library of Congress
• Newspapers in Microform
• Chronicling America
Libraries, Archives, and Societies
• Early American Newspapers Project
County Histories and City Directories
Finding Aids
• Print Materials
• Internet Resources
Case Study
• Case Study Outline
• Case Study Information
Module 5
Specialty Newspapers
Websites
Ethnic & Religious Newspapers
• Ethnic Newspapers
• Religious Newspapers
Miscellaneous Specialty Newspapers
• Military Newspapers
• Labor Papers
Finding Aids
• Ethnic Newspapers
• Religious Newspapers
• Military Newspapers
• Labor Newspapers
Module 6
Newspapers on the Internet
Websites
Newspaper Research Online
• Types of Available Resources
• Indexes
• Transcripts and Abstracts
• Digital Images
Searching Digital Images
• What is OCR?
How to Conduct an Effective Search
• Common Challenges
• Putting It Into Practice
• Be Creative & Experiment
• Search vs. Browse
• Chronicling America
• GenealogyBank
• NewspaperArchive
Citing Online Newspaper Resources
• Online Images
• Web Editions
• Online Abstracts & Transcripts
References
• Resources for Finding Online Newspaper Collections
• Selected Digital Newspaper Collections
Case Study
• Case Study Outline
• Case Study Information
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