Extra! Extra! Read all about it! If you looked through old newspapers, you would find startling headlines, amusing anecdotes, and a glimpse of everyday life for the people who lived in the particular place and time period. Old newspapers are not just full of stories about abstract people and events; they are also a valuable genealogical tool that you can use to find information about your ancestors.

Some examples of things you may find in newspapers that could be valuable for family history research include the following:

• City Research. If your ancestor lived in a big city, it is very likely that the city was publishing its own city newspaper. Your ancestor may not have made the headlines, but it is worth looking into to see if the paper had an index available. By checking the newspaper index, you can see if your ancestor was mentioned briefly somewhere in the paper. It is also important to see if the city newspaper has a local section that referenced a surrounding town where your ancestor may have lived.
• Obituaries. Obituaries are one of the most valuable genealogical resources available in the newspapers.  Obituaries can provide you with information on an ancestor’s date and place of birth and death, where they were buried,  places they may have lived throughout their lives, notable things they may have accomplished, and family relationships.
• Wedding Announcements. Depending on the time and place of your research, the information found in wedding announcements may vary. Sometimes wedding announcements were published with the intent to announce the engagement of two individuals and their intent to be married. Other times wedding announcements were published after a couple’s marriage to serve as an acknowledgment that they had been married.  Whatever the purpose or format of the wedding announcement in the newspaper, you can typically find the names of the bride and groom, the names of their parents, the place they were (or were going to be) married and the date of their marriage.
• Historical Context. Even if your ancestor is not specifically mentioned in the newspaper in the time and place where they lived, the newspaper itself can provide you with information about what your ancestor might have experienced in everyday life. This can lead you to other sources about events and places that may prove helpful in your research.

In conclusion, old newspapers are fun and interesting to explore. If you take the time to research them, you may find a thing or two you never knew about your ancestor.

For additional information about how to conduct research in online newspapers, take a look at The Family History Guide: Countries, United States, Part F: Other U.S Records, Goal F4: Explore newspapers online. There are also Goals for newspaper research in nearly every Country page and all of the U.S. state pages.