January 2026 Resource Spotlight: Historic Newspaper Resources

A special year has begun – the Semiquincentennial of the United States, also known as America 250! Have you ever wanted to see actual newspaper coverage of the sinking of the Titanic? Or read new stories published during the Civil War? Maybe you're curious about what made the front page on the day you were born?

To kick off this year, let’s take a tour of online resources providing access to historical newspapers!

Google News Archive Search

In 2008, opens a new window, Google began working with major newspaper microfilm publishers to digitize newspapers from around the globe. While the project ended abruptly in 2011, opens a new window, all digitized newspapers are still available to browse at Google News Archive Search., opens a new window

This includes many issues of the Youngstown Vindicator, from 1869 through June 2009. Special historic issues include:

MyHeritage

MyHeritage, opens a new window has a growing collection of digitized newspapers, including all those originally scanned by Google. With a library card, users can search by keyword, making it easier to find specific articles.

Click here, opens a new window for instructions on how to keyword search and browse the digitized issues of the Youngstown Vindicator.

Ohio Memory

Ohio Memory, opens a new window provides free access to over 250 Ohio newspapers. The Mahoning Dispatch, opens a new window, published in Canfield 1877-1968, is currently being added, with issues from 1877-1893 already available online.

You can also find all issues of the Youngstown Sheet and Tube, opens a new window.

Chronicling America

Chronicling America, opens a new window allows users to search and read newspapers published between 1836-1922 and find information about American newspapers from 1690-present.

This resource includes the Mahoning Dispatch from October 2, 1908 to September 30, 1921.

JSTOR Early Journal Content

JSTOR Early Journal Content, opens a new window provides free full-text access to nearly 500,000 public domain journal articles. These are articles published in the United States before 1920 and published internationally prior to 1870.

SmallTownPapers

SmallTownPapers, opens a new window allows users to search and browse over 250 newspapers with a free account.

Youngstown State University - Jambar Newspaper Archives

Youngstown State University has digitized all issues of the student newspaper, The Jambar, opens a new window, from 1931 to the present.

MetroMonthly

MetroMonthly, opens a new window provides digitized issues from March 2006 to the present. Be sure to check out these special issues:

Vindy Archives

Vindy Archives, opens a new window offers access to online Vindicator content, including deaths and tributes from 2009-August 2019 and news articles from 2001-August 2019.

More Online Newspaper Directories

For additional options, these websites link to a wide variety of digitized newspapers:

Not Everything is Online

While digital access is expanding, some treasures are best viewed in person!

Visit Main Library’s Genealogy & Local History room to view microfilm of many Mahoning County newspapers, such as:

Youngstown Vindicator – Jun. 25, 1869-April 30, 2019
Youngstown Telegram – 1887- Jul. 2, 1936
Steel Valley News – Sept. 7, 1964-Apr. 11, 1965
Valley Voice – Nov. 19, 2004-Aug. 4, 2005

In fact, some notable microfilm issues include:

Vindicator Complete History of Youngstown Past and Present – June 27, 1911
Vindicator 70 Years History edition – March 27, 1938

Additionally, our reference collection contains print newspaper resources, including two special oversized books:

Vindicator. Pages from History, opens a new window
Warren Tribune Chronicle. Famous Front Pages of History, opens a new window

Need Assistance?

For help using any of these resources, ask a librarian!

Call: 330-744-8636
Email: ASK@libraryvisit.org, opens a new window
Visit any PLYMC branch

Happy exploring through the headlines of history!