On, Wisconsin! – Statehood May 29, 1848

Here’s to Wisconsin! It became a state on this day in 1848. On, Wisconsin is the state song. (The image is from the Library of Congress, American Memory Project.) GenealogyBank has millions of records for Wisconsin – even newspapers that were published before it became a state. Here is the list: Capital Times, The... (Read More)

Jim Thorpe – Born May 28, 1888

We all heard the stories of Jim Thorpe – the world’s greatest athlete – while we were growing up. The newspapers & movies regularly carried stories about him and he was even featured on a box of Wheaties. (photo – NC Museum of History). He loved to compete. He enjoyed the battle itself and... (Read More)

It’s Wild Bill Hickok’s Day ….

Wild Bill Hickok – James Butler Hickok – was born on May 27, 1837 in Troy Grove, Illinois. Famous in movies, films and hundreds of newspaper articles – he is central to the legends of the Old West. Newspapers serialized his story and pictured him fighting bears, outlaws and Confederate agents. Images by Van... (Read More)

Our Honored Dead …

When Abraham Lincoln gave his stirring remarks at Gettysburg in 1863 word spread quickly across the nation. The San Francisco (CA) Daily Evening Bulletin of 18 Dec 1863 captured the impact of Lincoln’s words that still move us today.Newspapers report what happens every day giving each of us the emotion, context and impact of... (Read More)

Birth Announcements – newspapers are packed with them

Newspapers have been announcing births since the 1700s. It is common to see birth notices in newspapers all across the country, like this one for triplets born to “Mrs. Rust of Wolfeboro, NH” in 1796. It appeared in the Massachusetts Mercury 14 Oct 1796. You’ll find millions of births recorded in newspapers on GenealogyBank... (Read More)

Tracking down Family Bibles ….

Family Bibles have been treasured by families for generations, but finding them today can be difficult. It was common for families to have a family Bible – a large bound book that was prominently displayed in the family parlor – “…a large octavo volume, with a more or less ornate binding, with blank pages... (Read More)

Frank Baum 1856-1919 – Going Beyond the Obits

Lyman Frank Baum, the author of the many books about the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was born today – May 15, 1856 – in Chittenango, Madison County, New York. When he died obituaries appeared in newspapers around the country like this obituary that appeared in the Duluth (MN) News Tribune (8 May 1919). It... (Read More)

Virginia is 401 years old today!

Happy Birthday to Virginia! The first colonists arrived in Jamestown, Virginia on May 14, 1607 and with ups and downs the Commonwealth has prospered ever since. GenealogyBank.com is packed with early Americana – including millions of Virginia items go back to the 1700s. Newspapers GenealogyBank has more than 100 Virginia newspapers – containing more... (Read More)