Illustration: “Merry Old Santa Claus” by Thomas Nast, from the 1 January 1881 edition of “Harper's Weekly.” Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Christmases Past: What Toys Did They Wish For?

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on December 18, 2023

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to find ads for toys, to see what was popular in past Christmases... (Read More)

Missing Friends in the ‘Irish World’ Newspaper

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on March 28, 2022

Gena Philibert-Ortega describes the Missing Friends ads in the “Irish World” newspaper that provide valuable clues about your Irish American ancestors... (Read More)

Photo: James Parks. Credit: National Park Service.

African American Genealogy Tip: Information Wanted Ads

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on February 26, 2021

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega gives tips for using “Information Wanted” newspaper ads for African American genealogy... (Read More)

Illustration: a researcher using a computer

Genealogy Tip: Our Ancestors’ ‘Missing Person’ Newspaper Ads

By Mary Harrell-Sesniak on May 1, 2019

In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak writes about a source of family history information found in old newspapers: ads for missing persons... (Read More)

Runaway ad for Betsey Cudney, Westchester Herald (Ossining, New York), 29 May 1832, page 3

Genealogy Tip: Indentured Servant Advertisements

By Mary Harrell-Sesniak on April 24, 2019

Mary Harrell-Sesniak writes about a source of family history information found in old newspapers: ads for runaway indentured servants... (Read More)

Photo: a house on Maple Street in Darien, Connecticut

Using Classified Ads to Learn about Henry Stark’s Real Estate

By Thomas Jay Kemp on January 17, 2018

An article by Thomas Jay Kemp about using old newspaper classified ads to learn more about his great-uncle Henry Stark... (Read More)

Illustration: "The Old Plantation" (anonymous folk painting), late 1700s. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Genealogy Sleuthing: Reunited Black Families after the Civil War

By Mary Harrell-Sesniak on June 14, 2017

An article about how newly-freed Blacks found missing members of their families after the Civil War using “missing person” ads in newspapers... (Read More)

Illustration: General Andrew Jackson leads his troops at the Battle of New Orleans, War of 1812, by Edward Percy Moran. Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

War of 1812 Recruitment Advertisements: What Induced Your Ancestor to Serve?

By Mary Harrell-Sesniak on March 28, 2017

In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak searches old newspapers to find recruitment ads that induced men to enlist in the War of 1812... (Read More)

Illustration: Civil War Battle of Chickamauga. Credit: Kurz & Allison; U.S. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

Civil War Recruitment Advertisements: What Induced Your Ancestor to Serve?

By Mary Harrell-Sesniak on October 11, 2016

In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak searches old newspapers to find recruitment ads that induced men to enlist in the U.S. Civil War... (Read More)