This Week in History- April 8- April 14
What do black holes, World War I, and the Iowa Hawkeyes all have in common? The answer is important historical events that happened during this week in the past! Using content from Advantage Archives and their various partners, I have provided a diverse spread of historical events that happened during this week, years ago. Not […]
From Shelves to Screens: Why Libraries are Embracing Community History Archives
The Challenge of Accessing Physical Archives In our fast-paced world, time has become one of the most valuable resources we possess. It is a precious commodity that, once spent, can never be regained. In the context of libraries and institutions housing historical records, time is particularly crucial. The process of searching through physical archives can […]
This Week in History- April 1st – April 7th
From exploring space to civil rights leaders being assassinated, this week in history brought not only memorable tragedies but also local stories that aren’t often talked about. This week not only am I providing you with some fascinating historical information, but also even more in-depth search tips. I learned a lot this week on how […]
This Week in History- March 25 through March 31
This week is full of fascinating and impactful events, including a few of my favorites. With the assistance of Advantage Archives, I was able to dive deeper into these events and learn more about the first-hand reactions and thoughts following their occurrence. Between assassination attempts, fires, and nuclear explosions, this week in history provides a […]
Guest Blog Series: Use Nicknames in Newspaper Research
In many genealogically related documents (especially newspapers and census records), nicknames were frequently used, as those names were more often used than the “formal” given name of the person. Your search index database is not smart enough, for example, to interpret ‘Sadie” for the formal given name of “Sarah”. Thus, you will need to use both names separately in […]
See You In The Funny Pages: How The “Yellow Kid” Was Drawn Into The Great Newspaper War
The comic strip, a captivating blend of storytelling and visuals, made its debut in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, captivating the public’s imagination. “The Yellow Kid” holds the distinction of being the inaugural comic strip to grace the pages of North American newspapers. However, the origins of this charming and often overlooked art […]
This Week in History: March 18th – March 24th
Sydney Vaughan is a student at the University of Iowa majoring in Communications, and minoring in History. Sydney has previously used the Community History Archives to complete projects for her University level courses, and kindly agreed to write a weekly guest blog for us. She will be covering both the events of “This Week in […]
Guest Blog Series: Find Better Genealogy Results With Abbreviations
Kenneth R. Marks is the founder of The Ancestor Hunt, a comprehensive resource dedicated to assisting individuals in the exploration and discovery of their ancestry and family history. With a passion for genealogy that shines through his meticulous work, Marks has transformed The Ancestor Hunt into a cornerstone for amateur and experienced genealogists. We are […]
The Importance of Consolidating Your Digital Archive Collection into a Community History Archive
Having all of your digital content in one spot creates a holistic view of your community’s past. The Community History Archives platform was designed to provide your community with a freely searchable archive that has no reoccurring fees. Accessible and Searchable One of the most significant benefits of consolidating your digital archives into a […]
Do you want your community’s history to be free to access?
Advantage Archives has partnered with over 1,000 communities to provide FREE digital access to 100,000,000+ images and counting. Is your community history not available for free? Contact your local library, schools, and historical/genealogical society and have them reach out to us so we can provide your community with FREE digital access to your local history. […]
Preserving Memories and Enhancing Research: The Importance of Digitizing School Newspapers
At Advantage Archives, we understand the profound value of community history. School newspapers, often an overlooked treasure, form a significant part of this rich tapestry. As we move further into the digital age, the need to preserve these documents becomes increasingly crucial. Here’s why digitizing your school newspapers not only safeguards your community’s history but […]
Creating an Online Digital Archive for Your School: The Sensible Step Forward
In the era of digital transformation, preserving the rich tapestry of a school’s history has become more critical than ever. The Community History Archives is the perfect archive for your school. We provide Free access to the archive with absolutely NO recurring fees. Ever. The Emergence of Digital Archives in Education Digital archives represent a […]
Spotlight: St. Bonaventure University
The St. Bonaventure archive contains a wide variety of content, including the school newspaper (The Bona Venture), financial statements, documents of the church, account books, and more.
Using Digital Archives To Rewrite History (Lessons) For High School Students
20 years ago, a study performed by Grant, Gradwell and Cimbricz revealed that high school students who used primary sources to study historical events developed better interpretive skills and became more interested and engaged in the subject matter compared to traditional textbooks. The students also demonstrated a deeper understanding of historical events and could connect […]
Using Digital Archives To Rewrite History (Lessons) For Middle School Students
Research has extensively examined the role of primary sources in history education. One influential piece of research was conducted by Keith Barton in 2005. Barton’s study highlights several key benefits of using primary sources, like historical newspapers, in teaching history, including the promotion of critical thinking, the enhancement of understanding of historical concepts, fostering of […]
Using Digital Archives To Rewrite History (Lessons) For Elementary School Students
History is an infinite repository of stories, a fascinating confluence of narratives, and a wellspring of lessons. It offers a retrospective glance into the vibrant tapestry of human existence. To most, history might seem like a chronological record of events; to educators, it’s an invaluable toolkit that fosters knowledge, inculcates critical thinking skills, and broadens […]
Putting The Text In Context: Embracing the Challenges of Historical Newspaper Research
David McCullough is an American author who is regarded as one of the most respected and influential historians of our time. Known for his bestselling books on American history, McCullough has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including two Pulitzer Prizes. McCullough’s writing style is characterized by thorough research, vivid storytelling, and a […]
Reading Between The Lines: Helping Students Recognize Bias in Historical Newspapers
As the historian and educator Sam Wineburg stated, “Historical thinking, in its deepest forms, is neither a natural process nor something that springs automatically from psychological development.” This statement reflects the nuanced and complex nature of historical inquiry and how it is different from the intuitive way we understand our immediate world. “Historical thinking“ involves […]
