The Ancestor Hunt
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Newspapers
  • Newspaper Links
  • Obituaries
  • BMD Records
  • Photos
  • Yearbooks
  • Directories
  • By Location
  • Cemetery Records
  • Divorce Records
  • Naturalizations
  • Immigration
  • Mortuary Records
  • Church Records
  • School Records
  • Voter Records
  • Coroner Records
  • Probate and Wills
  • Alumni Records
  • Newsletter Page
  • Tools
  • Genealogy News
  • California Genealogy
  • Videos
  • Fun With Newspapers
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Use These 12 Special Keywords to Improve Your Newspaper Research Results

1/24/2020

3 Comments

 
Picture

When entering our search criteria in the search box on an online historical newspaper site, we often focus primarily on the name of the target ancestor or family.  We might also search for a location or an address. or combine these with a name.

My guess is that well over 90% of online newspaper searches employ the above techniques.

I offer you some additional ways to hone in on target ancestor articles, and this is to use keywords in your search criteria. Here are some examples, that if used will get you more and better results:


If you are searching for obituaries,
  • Add the keyword "Beloved" or
  • "Beloved wife" or,
  • "Beloved husband" etc. The word "beloved" is used frequently in obituaries. So entering these keywords plus the surname may focus in on obituaries.
  • Similar to "beloved" try the word "dear", as in "dear husband" or "dear sister." This will also focus in on obituaries.
  • A third keyword used in obituaries is "loving".  For example, "loving daughter" or  "loving husband".

If you are searching for a birth announcement,
  • Add in the keywords "born to the wife of"  or,
  • "Born to" along with the name and that will focus in on articles about births.

Was your ancestor a business owner?  
  • Add the word "president" or "proprietor" to the name.

Did your ancestor belong to a lodge or club? Try "president" or "chairman" or "secretary" for example.

Was your ancestor a union member?
  • Try using "Union rep", or
  • "Shop steward"

Try using the occupation in your search criteria, such as
  • "Doctor" or "electrician" or "plumber" in conjunction with the name.
​
Were they in the military?
  • Try "Corporal" or "Sergeant" or Captain", etc.

There are all kinds of ways to narrow in on your ancestors in old newspapers.  Using these keywords will definitely help. In fact, I guarantee it.
______________________________________________________

Thank you for visiting The Ancestor Hunt!


______________________________________________________

3 Comments
Donna Jones
4/20/2018 05:32:56 pm

What a great article. As I read through the examples, I kept thinking about how many newspaper articles had those key words in them. Thanks for the information!

Reply
Kenneth R Marks
4/20/2018 05:40:53 pm

Thank you Donna. Hope they work for you.

Reply
Crissouli
4/26/2018 07:13:18 am

I have included your blog/s in INTERESTING BLOGS in FRIDAY FOSSICKING at

https://thatmomentintime-crissouli.blogspot.com/2018/04/friday-fossicking-27th-april-2018.html

Thank you, Chris

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Check Out the NEW Subscription Options

    Save Time

    With the ​By Location Feature
    ​

    Free Resource Links
    ​​

    By Location Newspapers Obituaries BMD Records Directories Photos Yearbooks Cemetery Records Divorce Records Naturalizations Mortuary Records Immigration Church Records School Records Voter Lists Coroners Records Probate and Wills Alumni Records

    Subscribe
    Option 1 - Receive Links to New Published Articles 4 X per month

    Enter Email

    Subscribe
    ​
    Option 2​ - Receive New Complete
    Bi-Monthly Newsletter​ 
    ​
    Enter Email

    Search This Site


    Write or Record Your Autobiography the Easy Way

    Picture
    ​Use the Coupon Code HUNT to get a 10% discount
    Picture
    ​Use the Coupon Code HUNT to get a 10% discount



    Facebook Page
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    November 2010
    October 2010


Home
Blog

Newspapers
Newspaper Links
​Obituaries
BMD Records

Photos
​
Yearbooks

Divorce Records
Naturalizations
Immigration and Travel

Church Records
​School Records
Voter Lists
Coroner Records

Probate and Wills
Genealogy News
​
Goodies
California Genealogy
Videos
Fun With Newspapers
About
​Contact
Privacy Policy
Picture




​

©2012-21

Thanks for Visiting The Ancestor Hunt
The Ancestor Hunt is focused on helping primarily hobbyist genealogy and family history researchers to achieve their goals.

"The Ancestor Hunt" is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  There may be a small commission paid to "The Ancestor Hunt" should you purchase from Amazon.
.
"The Ancestor Hunt" is also an affiliate for "A Life Untold", and "Audiobiography". There may be a small commission paid to "The Ancestor Hunt" should you purchase from these companies.