Month: June 2014

Trace Your Immigrant Ancestors with Newspaper Passenger Lists

By on June 12, 2014

Be sure to check passenger lists that were routinely printed in newspapers—they have critical genealogical information about your immigrant ancestors that you need for your family history research. Look at this typical example, published in the Irish Nation newspaper in New York City. This passenger list reports on the Irish passengers who arrived in New York... (Read More)

Our Ancestors’ Stories Live in Old Newspaper Ads Too

By on June 5, 2014

I like to look at every mention of each ancestor that I am researching—and that includes newspaper classified ads. While looking through the Newark Daily Advertiser for 1835 I was surprised to see this unusual paid advertisement. What is with this odd newspaper advertisement? This is to certify, that the bearer, Julia Moore…[is] perfectly... (Read More)

Old-School Social Networking: Social Brief Columns in Newspapers

By on June 4, 2014

Newspapers have been the chief “social networking” tool for over 300 years—and that’s a good thing for genealogists. Newspapers’ social columns reported on the comings and goings of members of the local community, providing personal details that give a glimpse into the daily lives of our ancestors. For example, here we have word that... (Read More)