Topic Tips
We have a millions of newspapers to choose from, so you may benefit from some tips to target your search most effectively:
- Be specific!
The single best tip we can give is to be specific as you can.
If you're looking for a first-hand account on the German invasion of Poland in 1939,
don't search for Germany and Poland. you'll get too many results.
Instead, search for Germany and Poland and Invasion and limit your search to September
1 of 1939.
- Refine mid-search
If your first search narrows down the results, but not far down enough to find what
you need, try refining the search from the results page. On the right side of the
screen, we've put a "Refine" bar in. Just narrow your search with more keywords,
or by date or location, and click the "Search" button again to focus your results.
- Save your searches
When you find a search string that works for you, save it! This makes it much easier
to renew and revise your search later. This is a member benefit that allows you
to put either a search string or a search result in your filing cabinet. Look for
the "Save Search" button on your Search Results page like this:
And when you click it, this pop-up box will appear, allowing you to name your search:
From here you can select "Save," which will save your search and return you to the
Search Results page, or "Save and go to filing cabinet" which will take you away
from the current page so you can manage your filing cabinet.
- LiveHelp
If you are a member and there is something you are looking for that you cannot find,
but are sure must be in the archives, log in and then the Live Help Button will
show up in the in the upper right hand corner of every page. Click on the chat button
to ask for help from one of our site content experts. They can't do full time research
for you, but they might have an extra tip or two to help you find a particular story.