The McCracken County Local and Family History Department has added new collections to the library’s online historical digital collections, along with a new video for the beginner genealogist. The Eighth of August Emancipation Celebration Collection and the African American Newspaper Collection are both now available at digitalcollections.mclib.net, as well as an Introduction to Family Tree Building video on the library’s YouTube.
The 8th of August Collection provides digital access to programs associated with the annual celebration during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Homecoming events usually take place over the week leading up to August 8th, the day of Celebration of Emancipation, with multiple activities including a program. Featured are 24 print programs from numerous years starting in 1976 featuring people profiles, advertisements, event programs, and other historical content.
In addition, we’ve recently added the African American Newspaper Collection. The collection contains copies of the Kentucky Voice, published out of Paducah, KY during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Publishing its first edition in 1988, the papers primary publisher and editor was Kathryne Elise Conway Robinson. The paper covered Paducah, Murray, Mayfield, and much of the surrounding area.
Another new resource from the Local and Family History Department is the first installment of a video series for genealogists. The Introduction to Family Tree Building video is hosted by library assistants, Kristen Anderson and Nathan Lynn, and covers types of records that might be helpful in your genealogical research. From census records to vital statistics, learn about the diverse types of records that can lend themselves to help you discover your family history. Click here to view the video!
Researchers are also encouraged to use the digital collections Western Kentucky Black History Media Groups. Media groups are curated selections from many collections, allowing users to browse topics more easily.