There are almost 1,500 newspapers that have been published in the Mount Rushmore State - certainly not all of them are searchable online. But there are several that are indeed available. So go for it - find articles about the events, history, and people that capture the stories of South Dakota.
Please note that I have not always entered the dates that are included in the collections, as I suspect they will change as more items are digitized. Also I suspect that some of these links may change over time - so if there is a dead link - please use your favorite search engine to find their new location. (Updated December, 2020; recently added links are in BOLD) Statewide Collections: Chronicling America - South Dakota
Google News Archive
South Dakota Newspaper Indexes
County and Library Collections: Beresford Public Library
Deadwood Historical Newspapers Index
Student Collections: Augustana Academy - CantonAugustana University - Sioux FallsBlack Hills State University - SpearfishDakota State University - MadisonMount Mary College - YanktonLead High School - LeadNorthern State University - AberdeenPresentation College - AberdeenSinte Gleska University - MissionSouth Dakota School of Mines & Technology - Rapid CitySouth Dakota State University - University of Sioux Falls - Sioux FallsUniversity of South Dakota - Vermillion Miscellaneous Collections and Indexes: Independent Voices - Alternative Newspapers
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Newspapers 1933-1942
Small Town Papers
Old Fulton Postcards
Newspaper Abstracts - South Dakota Other Free Sites: HuronMartinPierre
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There are over 3,400 newspapers that have been published in the Badger State - certainly not all of them are searchable online. But there are quite a few that are indeed available. So go for it - find articles about the events, history, and people that capture the stories of Wisconsin. Please note that I have not always entered the dates that are included in the collections, as I suspect they will change as more items are digitized. Also I suspect that some of these links may change over time - so if there is a dead link - please use your favorite search engine to find their new location. (Updated December, 2020; recently added links are in BOLD) Statewide Collections: Chronicling America - Wisconsin Newspapers
Google News Archive
Archive of Wisconsin Newspapers (Wisconsin residents only)
County and Library Collections: Barron County Rice Lake Public Library
Chippewa County Chippewa Falls Public Library
Columbia County Kilbourn Public Library
Dunn County Menomonie Public Library
Forest County Crandon Public Library
Jefferson County Irving Young Memorial Library
Juneau County Elroy Public Library
Algoma Public Library Newspaper Archives
Brandon Public Library Door County Library Newspaper Archive
Eau Claire - L.E. Phillips Memorial Library
Lake Geneva Public Library newspaper indices New London Public Library Oconto County Newspapers
Waukesha County Freeman Digital Archives
Waunakee Library Archives Student Collections: Appleton High School - AppletonBeloit College - BeloitCarroll University Student Newspaper Collection - Waukesha
Miscellaneous Collections and Indexes: UW-Stout Area Research Center Newspaper Index
Independent Voices - Alternative Newspapers
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Newspapers 1933-1942
Western Wisconsin Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Newsletters
Small Town Papers
The Olden Times - Wisconsin Civil War Newspaper Articles, 1860-1865 (clippings) Wisconsin Name Index Wisconsin Obituaries, Local History and Biography Articles 1836-1948 (clippings) Newspaper Abstracts - Wisconsin Other Free Sites: AppletonBeloitDelavanEau ClaireGreen BayLa Crosse
There are almost 4,000 newspapers that have been published in the Cornhusker State - certainly not all of them are searchable online. But there are several that are indeed available. So go for it - find articles about the events, history, and people that capture the stories of Nebraska.
Please note that I have not always entered the dates that are included in the collections, as I suspect they will change as more items are digitized. Also I suspect that some of these links may change over time - so if there is a dead link - please use your favorite search engine to find their new location. (Updated December, 2020; recently added links are in BOLD) Statewide Collections: Chronicling America - Nebraska Newspapers
Google News Archive
Nebraska Newspapers
County and Library Collections Antelope County Neligh Public Library
Boone County Albion Public Library
Brown County Ainsworth Public Library
Burt County Decatur
Lyons Public Library
Oakland Public Library
Cass County Cass County Nebraska
Cheyenne County Dalton Delegate
Sidney Public Library
Custer County Sargent Township Library
Dixon County Dixon County Archives
Gardner Public Library
Ponca Carnegie Library
Dodge County North Bend Public Library
Scribner Public Library
Douglas County The Reader
Catholic Voice
Jewish Federation of Omaha
Fillmore County Fillmore County Public Library
Furnas County Arapahoe Public Library
Butler Memorial Library
Gage County Hometown Adams
Greeley County Scotia Public Library and Heritage Center
Hall County Hall County
Holt County Atkinson Library
Howard County Saint Paul Library
Kimball County Kimball Public Library
Knox County Creighton Public Library
Verdigre Public Library
Lincoln County North Platte Genealogical Society
Madison County Tilden Newspapers
Merrick County Central City Public Library
Nuckolls County Nelson Public Library
Otoe County Otoe County Archives
Perkins County Hastings Memorial Library
Pierce County Lied Pierce Public Library
Plainview News
Platte County Humphrey Library
Polk County Polk County Historical Society
Saline County Crete Heritage Society
Perkins College - Doane
Scotts Bluff County Mitchell Public Library
Seward County Seward Memorial Library
Stanton County Stanton Public Library
Valley County North Loup Public Library
Wheeler County Village of Bartley
Sargent Township Library Newspaper Archives
Wayne Newspapers Online
Student Collections: Benson High School - OmahaChadron State College - ChadronClarkson College - OmahaCreighton University - OmahaDoane University - CreteHastings College - HastingsHoldrege High School - HoldredgeMidland University - FremontNebraska Wesleyan University - LincolnOmaha Central High School - OmahaPeru State College - PeruUniversity of Nebraska - KearneyUniversity of Nebraska - LincolnUniversity of Nebraska - OmahaWayne State College - WayneWestside High School - OmahaYork College - York Miscellaneous Collections and Indexes: Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Newspapers 1933-1941
Independent Voices - Alternative Press
Danish American Newspapers and Journals
Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska Newspaper Collection
Small Town Papers
NE Newspaper Extraction Project (Index only) The Olden Times - Nebraska Newspaper Abstracts - Nebraska Other Free Sites: KearneyLincolnOmahaOrdScottsbluffSeward There are about 1,100 newspapers that have been published in the Green Mountain State - certainly not all of them are searchable online. But there are several that are indeed available. So go for it - find articles about the events, history, and people that capture the stories of Vermont.
Please note that I have not always entered the dates that are included in the collections, as I suspect they will change as more items are digitized. Also I suspect that some of these links may change over time - so if there is a dead link - please use your favorite search engine to find their new location. (Updated November, 2020; recently added links are in BOLD) Statewide Collections: Chronicling America - Vermont Newspapers
Google News Archive
County and Library Collections: Chittenden County Charlotte News Archive
Franklin County Arvin A. Brown Public Library
Lamoille County Stowe Free Library
Student Collections: Bennington College - Bennington
Miscellaneous Collections and Indexes: Independent Voices - Alternative Newspapers
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Newspapers 1933-1942
Small Town Papers
Old Fulton Postcards
Newspaper Abstracts - Vermont The Olden Times - Vermont Other Free Sites: Barre/MontpelierBrattleboroBurlington
There are about 1,300 newspapers that have been published in the the Granite State - certainly not all of them are searchable online. But there are several that are indeed available. So go for it - find articles about the events, history, and people that capture the stories of New Hampshire.
Please note that I have not always entered the dates that are included in the collections, as I suspect they will change as more items are digitized. Also I suspect that some of these links may change over time - so if there is a dead link - please use your favorite search engine to find their new location. (Updated November, 2020; recently added links are in BOLD) Statewide Collections: Google News Archive
New Hampshire Newspaper Index
County and Library Collections: Carroll County Conway Public Library
Coos County Colebrook Public Library
Grafton County Bethlehem Public Library
Hillsborough County Fuller Public Library
Nashua Public Library
Peterborough Public Library
Wadleigh Memorial Library
Merrimack County New Hampshire State Library
Rockingham County Derry Public Library
Kelley Library
Portsmouth Public Library
The Nesmith Library
Strafford County Farmington News Archive
Lee Public Library
Sullivan County Fiske Free Library
Richards Free Library
Lane Memorial Library Hampton Newspapers
Student Collections: Antioch University New England - KeeneColby Sawyer College - New LondonDartmouth College - HanoverFranklin Pierce University - RindgeGranite State College - ConcordHanover High School - HanoverKeene State College - KeeneManchester Community College - ManchesterNew England College - HannikerOyster River High School - DurhamPhillips Exeter Academy - ExeterPlymouth State University - Plymouth
Miscellaneous Collections and Indexes: Independent Voices - Alternative Press
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Newspapers 1933-1941
Small Town Papers
Newspaper Abstracts - New Hampshire The Olden Times - New Hampshire Other Free Sites: BerlinConcordLebanonManchesterPortsmouth There are about 750 newspapers that have been published in the Ocean State - certainly not all of them are searchable online. But there are several that are indeed available. So go for it - find articles about the events, history, and people that capture the stories of Rhode island.
Please note that I have not always entered the dates that are included in the collections, as I suspect they will change as more items are digitized. Also I suspect that some of these links may change over time - so if there is a dead link - please use your favorite search engine to find their new location. (Updated November, 2020; recently added links are in BOLD) Statewide Collections: Google News Archive
County and Library Collections: Bristol County The Bristol Phoenix
Kent County East Greenwich Free Library
West Warwick Public Library
Newport County Jamestown Philomenian Library
Providence County Cranston Public Library
Pawtucket Public Library
Washington County Maury Loontjens Memorial Library
North Kingstown Library
Island Free Library
Student Collections: Brown University - ProvidenceBryant College - SmithfieldCommunity College of Rhode island - WarwickJohnson and Wales University - ProvidenceNaval War College - NewportNew England Institute of Technology - East GreenwichProvidence College - Providence
Miscellaneous Collections and Indexes: Independent Voices - Alternative Newspapers
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Newspapers 1933-1942
The Olden Times - Rhode Island Newspaper Abstracts - Rhode Island Other Free Sites: NewportPawtuxet VillageProvidence There are almost 2,000 newspapers that have been published in the Pelican State - certainly not all of them are searchable online. But there are several that are indeed available. So go for it - find articles about the events, history, and people that capture the stories of Louisiana. Please note that I have not always entered the dates that are included in the collections, as I suspect they will change as more items are digitized. Also I suspect that some of these links may change over time - so if there is a dead link - please use your favorite search engine to find their new location. (Updated November, 2020; recently added links are in BOLD) Statewide Collections: Chronicling America - Louisiana
Google News Archive
Parish and Library Collections: Acadia Parish Acadia Parish Library
Bienville Parish The Bienville Parish Library
Caldwell Parish Caldwell Parish Library
Concordia Parish The Concordia Parish Library
East Baton Rouge Parish East Baton Rouge Parish Library
Jefferson Davis Parish Jennings Carnegie Public Library
Lafayette Parish Lafayette Public Library
LaSalle Parish LaSalle Parish Library
Livingston Parish Livingston Parish Library
Rapides Parish Rapides Parish Library
Union Parish Union Parish Library
Vermillion Parish Vermilion Parish Library
Vernon Parish Vernon Parish Library
Webster Parish Webster Parish Library
Lincoln Parish Newspaper Archives Student Collections: Centenary College of Louisiana - Shreveport
Miscellaneous Collections and Indexes: Independent Voices - Alternative Newspapers
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Newspapers 1933-1942
Small Town Papers
Old Fulton Postcards
The Olden Times - Louisiana Newspaper Abstracts - Louisiana Other Free Sites: AlexandriaBaton RougeCarvilleCharentonHouma-ThibodauxLafayetteLake CharlesNew Orleans
There are over 3,600 newspapers that have been published in the Sooner State - certainly not all of them are searchable online. But there are several that are indeed available. So go for it - find articles about the events, history, and people that capture the stories of Oklahoma.
Please note that I have not always entered the dates that are included in the collections, as I suspect they will change as more items are digitized. Also I suspect that some of these links may change over time - so if there is a dead link - please use your favorite search engine to find their new location. (Updated November, 2020; recently added links are in BOLD) Statewide Collections: Chronicling America - Oklahoma Newspapers
Google News Archive
Gateway to Oklahoma History 1840s-1920s (Page count after the name)
County and Library Collections: Bryan County Donald W. Reynolds Community Center & Library
Kingfisher County Hennessey Public Library
Texas County Guymon Public Library
Eastern Oklahoma Library District Newspaper Archives
McAlester Public Library Newspaper Digitization Project
Roger Mills County/Cheyenne Newspapers
Student Collections: Bacone College - MuskogeeCameron University - LawtonEast Central University - AdaLangston University - LangstonMid American Christian University - Oklahoma CityNortheastern Oklahoma A&M College - MiamiNortheastern State University - TahlequahNorthwestern Oklahoma State University - AlvaOklahoma Baptist University - ShawneeOklahoma Christian University - EdmondOklahoma City University - Oklahoma CityOklahoma Panhandle State University - GoodwellOklahoma State University Student Publications - StillwaterOklahoma Wesleyan University - BartlesvilleOral Roberts University - TulsaRogers State University - ClaremoreRose State College - Midwest CitySoutheastern Oklahoma State University - DurantSouthern Nazarene University - BethanySouthwestern Oklahoma State University - WeatherfordUniversity of Central Oklahoma - EdmondUniversity of Oklahoma - NormanUniversity of Science & Arts of Oklahoma - ChickashaUniversity of Tulsa - Tulsa Miscellaneous Collections and Indexes: Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Newspapers 1933-1941
Independent Voices - Alternative Press
Small Town Papers
Southern School News Archive The Olden Times - Oklahoma Newspaper Abstracts - Oklahoma Other Free Sites: BartlesvilleGuthrieGuymonMuskogeeOklahoma CityPerkinsTulsa I love searching old newspapers and have become addicted to searching them. And the majority of this website is dedicated to helping you get the most out of newspaper research. What things can one find in these sometimes one hundred or hundred and fifty year old pieces of paper? Here's a list of items that you may or may not have considered:
So - check out old newspapers. See what you can find. You might be amazed! Everyone who has searched newspapers online will fail to find something. It happens incredibly often. The stakes are high for genealogy researchers, where finding an article about an ancestor can make a huge difference in filling out a family tree or for historians, where one can find an extraordinary story unknown before. I have often heard researchers say "I can't find a single article about my subject, even though I have searched for hours!" Laying competency aside as a factor, the biggest reason is that the scanning and OCR of one and two hundred year old newspapers, either from paper or from microfilm, produces way less than optimal results. Here are 5 secrets to success: 1. Understand that you are trying to search against an imperfect database Every collection of digitized newspapers has two parts. The first is the collection of all the scanned images. The second is the OCR text that contains all the "words" in the newspapers. In fact, the OCR text does NOT contain words or names - it really is just a string of letters and spaces. You need to know AND remember that the key is that it is a string of letters, not NECESSARILY a word or a person's name that you are searching against. The OCR process is intended to convert the dots on the page to letters, numbers and symbols (such as punctuation). If the original newspaper is dirty, brittle, creased, etc., the OCR process, which is applied to the scanned image, may not convert the dots to the correct letters. There are a variety of strange characters and combinations of strange characters that may be picked up. The bottom line is that the OCR text - a representation of the dots from the original pre-scanned newspaper page is only as good as the quality of the original, the quality of the scanner, and the quality of the OCR software. That's a lot of "quality" that has to exist. You must expect inferior results and set your expectations accordingly. 2. Dates and Location Matter A digitized newspaper collection represents a number (sometimes a large number) of newspaper pages that when combined are a newspaper edition for a specific day (or part of a day if there is a morning and evening edition). So, a page is part of a newspaper title's publication for that day. Several days and multiple titles become a collection. Let's say that the digitized collection of the "Herald News" has publication dates of November 12, 1887 through January 31, 1894, which represents all the newspapers in the collection. No matter how hard you try you cannot make the collection give you results for your great grandfather's obituary if it was published in the Herald News on March 14, 1896. A very common mistake that online newspaper researchers make is to ignore the dates of newspapers that are in the collection and the publication locations of that collection. Always check the collection dates and publication title and location prior to starting a search project. 3, Remember you are searching for a string of letters, NOT a Name or a Word For example, if you are looking for a person named "Smith" (good luck with THAT common name, but I digress), try using different letter strings, such as "Smitb", or "sm1th", or "8mith" or combinations of those different letters/numbers. If there is an "h" in your search term, try exchanging a "b", since b's and h's are quite similar and thus the OCR text may include the "b" rather than the desired "h" (e.g., an undesired ink spot in just the right location may make the "h" look like a "b". As a real world example, searching the California Digital Newspaper Collection for the surnames "Braunhart" yields 1,507 results. Replacing the "h" with a "b", hence searching for "Braunbart" yields 96 results - for the SAME person. That is approximately another 6%! For a similar reason as "h" and "b" are confused - the same holds true of "c" and "e". Likewise, lower case m's and n's are often confused. The m's are often converted to several combinations of letters. Also r's and n's can be confused. For a complete list go to The Best Way to Find More Pertinent Articles in Historical Newspaper Research To repeat - you may "wish" that when you enter a perfectly spelled name or word, that you will get positive results when searching against the OCR text - but actually it is the string of letters that appear in the text representation of the page AFTER the OCR process that you are searching against. So, outsmart the system by changing your search string of letters. 4. Remember to Take Hyphenated Words into Consideration Hyphenated words were often used because of fixed width type as well as the experience and capability of the typesetter. Hyphens are less utilized today but were a staple years ago. Take that into consideration if you are searching for a surname or other search criteria with many letters in one word. Try splitting the search into two words where the hyphen may have been normally used. I have seen in older newspapers, as much as 20% of a column have hyphenated words. So try splitting up someone's name. For example, MacDonald could have "Mac-" on one line, followed by "Donald" on the second line. Or MacDon-" on one line and "ald" on the second line. You will get many more positive results if you take hyphenation into consideration when formulating your search string. Here is more about searching for hyphenated words - Use Hyphenated Search 5. Use Crowdsourcing to Improve the OCR Textual representation of the Page More and more digitized collections are using crowdsourcing to improve the OCR text. In effect you are helping the next person by correcting OCR errors and changing the letter string to words or names that are spelled correctly. Additional help for all our searching success would be more crowdsourcing to correct OCR errors and improve the text. An example is reCaptcha processing that has been used by Google Books. Another crowdsourcing example that I personally have used is that of correction on the actual online newspaper site, such as the aforementioned California Digital Newspaper Collection. In this example, registered users can provide edited text that is then incorporated into future searches. Kind of like a newspaper-related "pay it forward." This capability is provided on that site and many others from the fine folks at Elephind.com, who created the software used by the California collection as well as many other online newspaper sites. I have recently noticed more software that is incorporating this feature. So if you help improve the text index and others do as well, everyone benefits! So, in summary - you can win with online newspaper searching - you just need to be smart about the process. Good luck - be persistent and have reasonable expectations. |
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