by Lisa Cooke | Apr 5, 2013 | 01 What's New, Newspaper, Research Skills, Technology
Many of us know the fabulous Chronicling America newspaper site. Hosted by the Library of Congress, it catalogs all known U.S. newspapers and provides free access to more than six million digital newspaper pages. Well, this site keeps getting better. Content continues to grow and expand into other languages. And–something I personally love–the site will be easier to use on my iPad and iPhone!
Gazette Sentinel, Plaquemine, LA, Jan 20, 1860, Image from Chronicling America
First, let’s look at growing content: 130 new titles and 800,000 pages are new on the site. New titles include French and Spanish newspapers, like the French-English bilingual paper shown here.
‘We as genealogists can read as it were over our ancestors’ shoulders.’
Historical newspapers give readers a front-page view of American history. Recent additions to the collection echo popular feelings about presidential politics, slavery and westward expansion. We as genealogists can read as it were over our ancestors’ shoulders. Even if we don’t find them mentioned there specifically, we can learn a lot about their lives from newspapers of their day.
As I mentioned, Chronicling America now works better on mobile web devices. Specifically mentioned in a recent press release are “the ability to enlarge a portion of a newspaper page in a tablet or mobile phone device by using a pinch-to-zoom gesture. Also, a thumbnail navigator that appears on every page facilitates panning and zooming the image.” That’s a big improvement for users who have been frustrated at trying to use the site on the small screen!
Want to learn more about newspaper research for family historians–especially how to find newspapers online? Check out my book, How to Find Your Family History in Newspapers, available in paperback and as an e-book.
by Lisa Cooke | Apr 3, 2013 | 01 What's New, Who Do You Think You Are?
Many of us have been anticipating the return of Who Do You Think You Are?, the popular family history-themed television show. After three seasons, the WDYTYA? was canceled by NBC in 2012.
Reportedly, TLC has since picked up the show for a fourth season. Executive producer Lisa Kudrow told Craig Ferguson the show is still moving forward in an appearance on The Late Late Show on Feb. 20 (see the conversation here: it starts about 21 minutes into the show).
In recent weeks, reports have circulated that Kelly Clarkson has filmed an episode. A fan reported seeing her in Americus, Georgia and that they were shooting footage at Andersonsville National Historic Site.
Want to brush up on the first three seasons (and some WDYTYA trivia) before the return of the fourth? Find old episodes here on NBC.
Or learn more about about Kelly Clarkson at her website, which has so far been silent about any WDYTYA? filming, but celebrates her recent Grammy award and upcoming wedding–to the stepson of another WDYTYA? guest, Reba McEntire.
by Lisa Cooke | Apr 2, 2013 | 01 What's New, FamilySearch, Records & databases
Recently FamilySearch announced the addition of another 1.7 million indexed records and images to its free online Historical Records Collection. According to FamilySearch, 
“Notable collection updates include the 13,110 images from the new Arizona, Maricopa, Mesa City Cemetery Records, 1885-1960, collection and the 105,745 indexed records and images from the New Zealand, Immigration Passenger Lists, 1855-1973, collection.”
Whether you have roots in North Carolina or New Zealand, it may be worth it to check out their list of new records:
| Collection |
Indexed Records |
Digital Images |
| Australia, Tasmania, Miscellaneous Records, 1829-1961 |
0 |
8,191 |
| Austria, Upper Austria, Linz, Miscellaneous buy premature ejaculation medication online City Records, 1485-1894 |
0 |
20,711 |
| China, Collection of Genealogies, 1239-2010 |
0 |
120,111 |
| Dominican Republic, Miscellaneous Records, 1921-1980 |
0 |
29,543 |
| England, Northumberland, Miscellaneous Records, 1570-2005 |
0 |
3,897 |
| Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 |
0 |
188,632 |
| Mexico, San Luis Potosí, Miscellaneous Records, 1570-1842 |
0 |
171,391 |
| Mexico, Yucatán, Civil Registration, 1860-2005 |
0 |
297,064 |
| New Zealand, Immigration Passenger Lists, 1855-1973 |
105,744 |
1 |
| Nicaragua, Civil Registration, 1809-2011 |
0 |
47,728 |
| Paraguay, Asunción, Cemetery Records, 1842-2011 |
0 |
11,121 |
| Peru, La Libertad, Civil Registration, 1903-1998 |
0 |
203,673 |
| U.S., Arizona, Maricopa, Mesa City Cemetery Records, 1885-1960 |
0 |
13,110 |
| U.S., Delaware, Death Records, 1855-1961 |
28,958 |
33,144 |
| U.S., Maine, Veterans Cemetery Records, 1676-1918 |
51,541 |
0 |
| U.S., Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Estate Files, 1686-1915 |
0 |
147,293 |
| U.S., Montana, Sweet Grass County Records, 1885-2011 |
0 |
64,754 |
| U.S., North Carolina, Civil Action Court Papers, 1712-1970 |
0 |
220,321 |
| U.S., Tennessee, Death Records, 1914-1955 |
26 |
0 |
by Lisa Cooke | Feb 16, 2013 | Blogs, Canadian
Meet the newest genealogy podcast: On-Site Research New England. It’s 
hosted by house historian, professional genealogist and social media veteran Marian Pierre-Louis, and it promises to be a reliable resource for those who could use a little help tracing their northeastern relatives.
Marian aims her tips at anyone doing New England research–genealogists, curators, historians, collectors, authors and many others. Each podcast will give an on-site intro to a New England library, archive or society, with research tips and how-tos given by their own staff. Her motto is to “know before you go,” so jump on her site before heading to any New England repository.
It’s no surprise that the first episode highlights a department of a premiere research destination, The New England Historic Genealogical Society. In this episode you’ll learn from longtime expert Rhonda McClure about NEHGS’ New England and Canadian microfilm and microfiche holdings. The second episode promises to be just as meaty: a review of genealogical and historical resources at the Boston Public Library.
On-Site Research New England plans on broadcasting bi-weekly episodes; you can also download episodes through iTunes. Here’s one more tip: if you love New England history, you should also check out Marian’s Internet radio show, Fieldstone Common, which broadcasts every Thursday. She’s always got a fun topic for her listeners there!
by Lisa Cooke | Jan 10, 2013 | 01 What's New, Ancestry, Apps, Genealogy Gems Podcast, RootsMagic, YouTube
As the new year begins, we all have family history research challenges we are targeting. The newest episode of the free
Genealogy Gems Podcast (
Episode 148) is packed full of brand new quick genealogy gems to help you hit the mark, including:
- What you’ll get from the new free RootsMagic App
- 5 reasons you need the new YouTube app for family history
- Ancestry search tips video
- Upcoming free genealogy webinars, and more
We’ll also discuss a disturbing case of alleged website theft in the genealogy community, and what it means for you.
