Tips & Tricks to Search Online Newspapers at GenealogyBank

Introduction: Mary Harrell-Sesniak is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background. In this guest blog post, Mary shows some of the search techniques she uses when researching GenealogyBank’s newspapers collection—to help our readers do more efficient searches and save them time with their family history research. Every American family has a... (Read More)

There Are Some Obituaries Everyone Needs to Read

I. D. Lilly, a retired trucker and promoter of the largest family reunion ever held, died in March of this year. He was an active participant in the famous West Virginia family’s gatherings, and served on the Lilly Family Reunion Board of Directors. In 2009 some 2,585 Lilly relatives gathered in Flat Top, West... (Read More)

New Year’s Genealogy Resolutions for Genealogists in 2013

It’s the start of a new year, a time when many people think about making some changes. Here are four suggestions I have; I hope that genealogists take to heart these New Year’s resolutions for 2013. Use Newspapers for Genealogy Research Search through historical newspaper archives for each of your ancestors and find those... (Read More)

Finding Your “Roots” at Alex Haley Museum Opening

Alex Haley home dedicated as a genealogy library and museum. When 17-year-old violinist Joseph Matthews performed at the dedication of the Alex Haley Museum and Interpretive Center, he had no idea he would discover his family roots. Joseph, a high school senior from Memphis, Tennessee, was among hundreds who participated in two days of... (Read More)

The Old Cemetery – a tour in 1822

Newspaper articles can tell us about our ancestors and also the details of the cemeteries where they were buried. “English names often startled us as we walked through the alleys of tombstones…” (Photo: Craig Patik, 2000) I found this article giving a detailed tour of the Père Lachaise Cemetery (Cimetière du Père-Lachaise) written in... (Read More)

Marriage Announcements –

Get the most out of GenealogyBank! (J. Stewart wedding – 1903, Nekoma, ND. LOC.gov)                     Whether you’re looking for a wedding announcement published on July 22, 1802, July 22, 1862 or July 22,1962 – GenealogyBank is your comprehensive source. I didn’t know that was in... (Read More)

Genealogy – Growing Even More Popular

“In ever increasing numbers … genealogists becoming more numerous … in every part of the country.” “Almost every large city has its own genealogical society.” That sounds like an article from today’s newspaper – but it was written in 1912. (Read the complete article – 16 Dec 1912 San Jose Mercury News). But it... (Read More)