This week in history was marked by destruction and change. Two hateful leaders passed away, unfair treatment sparked riots that destroyed many communities, and a baseball legend broke a record but was met with criticism for his attitude. Additionally, World War II was winding down on one front. If you’re interested in any of these […]
Read All About Advantage Archives
At Advantage Archives we work hard to build strong, community-based partnerships to provide free online access to local history, making it discoverable and easily accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time, on any device. This access allows communities to understand and connect to their past in a meaningful way.
Through these partnerships, we provide the community the means to explore, discover, learn from, connect with, and share the stories of the people, places, and events that shaped their community.
The Community History Archives are intended to serve as a “portal to the past”, allowing local primary source documents to give an accounting of history as told by the individuals that witnessed it.
This Week in History: April 22- April 28
In honor of Earth Day, this week in history brings you events from the great outdoors! Whether you are a baseball fan, a climate activist, or just looking to learn more about history, this week in history has something for everyone! This week I chose to focus on the events that have impacted our environment […]
Don’t Search For An Obituary By Only Searching For An “Obituary”
In the quest to trace our roots and understand our heritage, obituaries often serve as a crucial starting point. Obituaries are undoubtedly a rich source of information for genealogists. They often provide vital details about the deceased, including their full name, date of birth, date of death, and often, the names of their relatives. However, […]
This Week in History – April 15- April 22
From old fires and recent fires to sinking ships and legends being born, this week in history presents us an opportunity to reflect on the events that changed lives all around the world. April seems to be the month that some of the biggest historical events have happened, and this week, in particular, has some […]
History From A Local (Cedar Rapids, IA) Perspective – The Titanic
The sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912, is etched in history as one of the most devastating maritime disasters. The tragedy, which claimed over 1,500 lives, sent shockwaves across the globe, making headlines in every corner of the world, with newspapers of all sizes providing extensive coverage of the event. In the […]
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.
