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26th April
2012
written by Richard

The library at San Diego State University has unveiled an invaluable tool for researching local history: a digitized database of the San Diego Union and Evening Tribune. This product by NewsBank Inc. is keyword searchable and provides pdf images of the original newspaper copy.

For decades local researchers have relied on the microfiche index to the Union produced by city librarians years ago. As important as this index as always been, it was never completed by the Public Library and was limited by the infamous “gap”—the years between 1904 and 1930 that were left un-indexed. The NewsBank database bridges that gap and also covers the historic Tribune, a separate newspaper until its merger with the Union in 1992. The digitizing is not yet complete and some years are not available.

I would encourage anyone looking for historical information in San Diego newspapers to make a trip to the SDSU library. Parking is a minor hassle but there are several lots on the campus perimeter that cost $1 per hour. The best way to go is on the San Diego Trolley, which takes you close to the library from a station in the center of campus.

5 Comments

  1. Todd Pitman
    01/05/2012

    Ricahrd have you used this? SDSU says that they do not have this database?

  2. 01/05/2012

    Yes, I’ve used it a lot. It can also be used at UCSD.

  3. Mary
    30/05/2012

    I’m looking for one specific obituary from San Diego Union for Sarah Howe Allen Kendrick age 72 newspaper date 1/27/1913 page 17

    Any suggestions on how to obtain it without making a trip from Ohio to SF? she was the wife of the first Rector at our small historic church in Lake Erie — there isn’t much written about her.

  4. 01/06/2012

    Mary, send your request to the Newspaper Room of the San Diego Public Library. speccoll@sandiego.gov
    They’ll look for the obit. and get back to you about photocopy costs.

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