MyHeritage's OldNews.com is Good News for Genealogists

Newspapers have long been an underused yet invaluable resource for genealogists. In this insightful Webtember session, veteran researcher James Tanner introduces MyHeritage’s OldNews.com, a growing global newspaper archive launched in 2024. With more than 400 million pages from 75 countries, the platform provides unprecedented opportunities to uncover details about ancestors that may never appear in traditional records. Fully integrated with MyHeritage’s record-matching system, OldNews makes it easier than ever to connect historic press coverage directly to family trees.

Key Takeaways:

• Beyond vital records: Newspapers expand research far beyond birth, marriage, death, and census records. From obituaries and death notices to property disputes, tax lists, and even social gossip, these sources can confirm dates, reveal relationships, and provide rich context for ancestors’ daily lives.

• Accuracy and verification: Tanner stresses the need to cross-check newspaper reports against other sources. Articles often contain errors, such as misreported birthplaces or incorrect parents’ names. Used carefully, however, newspapers can highlight new leads and uncover forgotten family stories.

• Practical search strategies: Flexible searching is essential—ancestors may appear under nicknames, initials, or even occupations. Record matches within MyHeritage streamline the process, but researchers should also explore variations, track related individuals in small-town publications, and preserve full-page images with citations for long-term reference.

By showcasing examples from his own family, Tanner demonstrates how OldNews can bring to light surprising details, from tragic accidents to community activities and forgotten children who never appeared in census records. These discoveries not only verify genealogical facts but also add human texture to family histories.

To experience the full depth of this presentation—and learn specific techniques for navigating OldNews—watch the complete webinar. The accompanying 17-page syllabus offers additional strategies, resources, and tools to help genealogists effectively integrate historical newspapers into their research. Delving into these resources could open the door to stories, connections, and insights that transform a family tree into a vivid portrait of the past.