On Saturday I was at my local Family History Center trying to find more information on a gentleman who died in July of 1970 in Phoenix. Basically - I need his obituary so I can learn more about his family and where he hails. I thought - check the databases at my local public library (
Phoenix Public Library). It referred me to a local Family History Center (
Mesa Regional Family History Center) which maintains a database called
AZObits. What a wonderful resource! I found the obituary I was researching (well, information that one exists - not the complete obituary), along with the newspaper where it was published. Now - to find that newspaper and see if the July 1970 issue was in an online database.
I searched and searched to no avail. I eventually wound up at
NewspaperArchive.com and they indeed had my newspaper, but I really didn't feel like paying for a membership just yet. And, I am not really interested in making a trip to the Phoenix Public Library to look at microfilm (I want it ALL online NOW! I can dream, can't I?) Well, I gave up for now and left my little Family History Center to save this search for another day. Little did I know that my library had free access to NewspaperArchive.com through another website.
While researching tonight I found an article on the
10 Great Pay Sites - Genealogy Websites. I saw
Godfrey Memorial Library on the list, and I discovered that Godfrey offers access to NewspaperArchive.com (via paid subscription). (Best part is -- Godfrey offers library subscriptions to anyone!) I considered subscribing, then I remembered: Hey! My local Family History Library allows access to Godfrey Memorial Library for free -- AND its link to NewspaperArchive.com (also for free!) -- through its FHC Portal!
Needless to say, I can't wait to return to my local Family History Library to start researching this rich source of material. And, a lesson learned -- learn what is available to you in your own local family history library!
Jirene
ReplyDeleteGreat article and it is amazing what is often right under our nose!
For those who want an low-cost alternative for access to Newspaper Archive.com at home, consider joining the Southern California Genealogical Society (http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/) - for a $30 membership you get access from home which is sweet!