Newspaper Searching: Aftermath

First, you need to choose a newspaper from the list above to search. You will go to a search page and type in the word or name for which you are searching. Then click on the "initiate search" button. You are more likely to find what you are looking for if you keep the search brief. For example, it is better to search for a last name only because a first name was often abbreviated in nineteenth-century sources. The computer will quickly scan all the indexes and list any entries it finds in a list of issues; the word you searched will appear in a line from the newspaper, giving you some context. Click on the date in blue to bring up a copy of the summarized articles for that date. These summaries will give you a brief description of most of the articles in the paper as well as their titles, pages and column numbers. Since the summaries page covers the entire paper for that week, you may want to use the Find button at the top screen to locate the particular word or phrase that you are searching for. If an article has been fully transcribed, the page will read "Transcribed Article Available." You can then click on this tag to see the text of the article.

To see the original, full-size newspaper page, click on the blue page number. We suggest that you open another browser window so that the newspaper image can load in the background while you continue to explore the Archive. This may take several minutes, depending on your connection and the capabilities of your computer. By using the small headlines as clues, you will be able to find the entire article in its full context.

NOTE: [Only Staunton Spectator 1861 and Valley Spirit 1861 are currently available in original full-size newspaper image.]

Please note that the language in these newspapers is often highly offensive, especially when the subjects are African-Americans, Irish immigrants, or women. It is important to note that this highly offensive language does not represent the views of the Valley project. We have decided to present the newspapers in their original form and content, not edit out language or views we don't agree with. This language represents the widely held opinions of many mid-nineteenth-century Americans. Please read this language not as statements of fact but in the context of mid-nineteenth-century politics and society.