{"id":10550,"date":"2015-05-14T12:18:09","date_gmt":"2015-05-14T16:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=10550"},"modified":"2015-05-14T12:18:09","modified_gmt":"2015-05-14T16:18:09","slug":"how-to-search-graduation-announcements-in-newspapers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/how-to-search-graduation-announcements-in-newspapers.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Search Graduation Announcements in Newspapers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: Mary Harrell-Sesniak is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background. In this blog article, Mary shows how graduation announcements in old newspapers are a good resource for your family history research.<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s that time of year, when graduation ceremonies abound \u2013 but I\u2019d wager to say that few genealogists have thought to search old newspapers for their ancestors\u2019 graduation announcements.<\/p>\n

But genealogists really should, because the graduation articles and photos found in historical newspapers are wonderful \u2013 and may tell you something about your ancestors you never knew.<\/p>\n

Graduation Photographs & Illustrations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many early graduation announcements include just a few details, but starting around 1899 coverage expanded with photographs, some depicting historical events.<\/p>\n

For example, when President McKinley attended Smith College\u2019s Commencement Exercises in 1899, it was national news. This spread from a Massachusetts newspaper includes photos of the presidential party, female graduates in their finery, and a picture of two presidents: U.S. President William McKinley and Smith College President Laurenus Clark Seelye.<\/p>\n

\"photos<\/a>
Boston Journal (Boston, Massachusetts), 25 June 1899, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many newspaper graduation articles include pictures of the individual graduates, like the following article from an Oregon newspaper. Although small (only three students!), the first graduating class of Goldendale Washington\u2019s Klickitat Academy had their pictures and class rankings published: Miss Mabel E. White, Salutatorian; Edgar Clarence Ward, Composition Graduate; and Miss Beulah B. Morris, Valedictorian.<\/p>\n

\"First<\/a>
Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 1 July 1899, page 6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today, medal and prize-winning graduates are honored in the newspaper \u2013 and it was no different over 100 years ago.<\/p>\n

William Jennings Bryan, a well-known politician and candidate for U.S. president, was the benefactor of several colleges \u2013 who bestowed awards in his honor. Some of the William Jennings Bryan Medals were for political science or other subjects, such as this journalism medal established in 1898.<\/p>\n

\"article<\/a>
Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, Ohio), 25 February 1898, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

E. P. Camron, Jr., was the 1900 recipient of the William Jennings Bryan Medal at Missouri State University.<\/p>\n

\"article<\/a>
St. Louis Republic (St. Louis, Missouri), 1 June 1900, page 6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lists of Graduates<\/strong><\/p>\n

Search old newspapers for lists of graduates \u2013 and not just for high schools and colleges. You might uncover elementary school commencements as well, such as this one from Grand Forks, North Dakota. In 1911, every eighth grade graduate in the city schools was listed in this North Dakota newspaper article \u2013 all 129 of them.<\/p>\n

\"Graduates<\/a>
Grand Forks Daily Herald (Grand Forks, North Dakota), 20 June 1911, page 8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Honors Such as \u201cMost Likely to Succeed\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may be surprised to learn that those charming \u201cMost likely to succeed\u201d and other titles bestowed upon the senior class were invented long ago. For example, notice some of the honors bestowed on the Yale College Seniors in 1907:<\/p>\n