Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society: How to Develop Critical Online Newspaper Research Skills - Kenneth R. Marks from Ancestor Hunt

Join us on March 7, 2026 with Kenneth R. Marks

Founder of Ancestor Hunt

This webinar is intended to build newspaper research skills for genealogy and history researchers. Online newspaper research can be a frustrating endeavor for several reasons. The goal is for the audience to understand why it can be difficult and to learn some skills that will drastically improve search results.

Kenneth R. Marks is the founder of Ancestor Hunt, a leading online resource for genealogy and newspaper research. We will hear about his new project, Newspaper Research Academy.

The program will also cover the many aspects of Ancestor Hunts website and its other features like quicksheets, research guides and we will hear about his new project, Newspaper Research Academy.

Mr. Marks not only is a webmaster but is a author of 7 books. Attendees to this webinar will have a chance to win one of Kenneth Marks books, "Finding Your Ancestors in Historical Newspapers: A Practical Guide to Improving Your Online Newspaper Research Results” .

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Ky_1GYQsRZ-6qUU85IwFJQ

Biography

Kenneth R Marks began his genealogy journey in 2002 after retiring as a software executive in a career that began in 1969. At the beginning of his search, he knew very little about his ancestors. Since that time, by intensive use of all kinds of genealogy resources, he learned who his ancestors were, and more importantly, how they lived. Discovering his ancestors’ life stories and meeting relatives all over the world provided the greatest satisfaction from his research.

Through his genealogy pursuits, he became an expert in newspaper research, which helped to uncover the stories of his ancestors’ lives. He developed a popular website, The Ancestor Hunt, which initially curated free online newspaper titles in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Expanding the website led to publishing over 275,000 curated links to free online resources in 24 common genealogy categories.

~Ancestor Hunt

Pioneers of The West

Header Photo: Helen Lundeberg created this painting while employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal program that employed artists during the Great Depression. Like other WPA artists, Lundeberg depicted a hopeful view of the United States during a time of turmoil and uncertainty by showing a dreamlike image of western expansion. The group of pioneers, with their backs to the viewer, follows an ox-drawn wagon into a valley. The monumental figures appear strong and assured in their forward progress. Rising mountains melt into the sun. Lundeberg's style of mixing fantastic images with reality is evident in the background: The pink, rolling mountains blend into the orange, pink, and bluish haze of the sky; it is difficult to determine where the mountains end and the sky begins. The careful use of space and dreamlike elements in Pioneers of the West is representative of Lundeberg's postsurrealist style. This movement, derived from surrealism, purposely combined fantasy with reality and was predominantly found on the West Coast. (Helen Lundeberg, Pioneers of the West, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.8.27) GSA: Information and images created or owned by the GSA unless otherwise indicated, are considered in the public domain. They may be distributed or copied as permitted by applicable law.

How to Develop Critical Online Newspaper Research Skills - Kenneth R. Marks from Ancestor Hunt - March 7, 2026