Historical Black Newspapers

I wasn’t finding obituaries or any mention of my relatives prior to maybe the 1950s in the local newspapers that are available via Newspapers.com, VirginiaChronicle.com and NewsBank. Something I specifically didn’t find was an obituary for each of my Allmond great-grandparents. The only mention I found was a notice for a pressure canner clinic for Farm Security Housewives at my great-grandmother’s house in 1946.

My mother told me to check the Journal and Guide. I hoped it would be a part of Chronicling America but it’s not. I finally found it as part of the ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Black Newspaper Collection available at the Library of Virginia. (Note: I tried the same collection through the DC Public Library but this paper is not included through them.)

And here are my people.

Journal and Guide National Edition Vo.l LIX No. 50 Norfolk, Virginia Saturday, December 12, 1959 20 pages Price 15 cents
Funeral service for Mrs. Mary Lizzie Allmond was held at Jones Grove Baptist Church Sunday, Dec. 6. with the L. W. Herring Funeral Company in charge. Papers and acknowledgements were read by Mrs. Gracie Porter, soloist were Mrs. Vivian Graves, Mrs. Edwards, and the Rev. J. M. Douglass. Remarks were by the
pastor, Rev. Mr. Johns on, the Eastern Stars and Tents. THE REV. J. M. Douglass. of Accomac, Va.. former pastor of the church, delivered the eulogy using as a subject: "Life's Unfailing Props." Burial was in the family plot of the church cemetery, where the Order of Eastern Star and Tents held rites. Benediction was by the Rev. J. D. Tynes. Mrs. Allmond, a native of Isle of Wight county, died Dec. 3 at Louise Obici hospital. She is survived by four sons: Roy, John Milton. Calvin and Pernee Allmond: six daughters: Mrs. Selma Flood, Mrs. Olive Watts. Mrs. Cassie Jenkins, Misses Claris Mae, Jessie, and Mary Lizzie Allmond; four sisters. Mrs. Vinnie Glover, Mrs. Helen Whitehead, Mrs. Nellie Darden, and Miss Minnie Harris; two brothers: Eddie and Willie Harris; 14 grandchildren. three daughters-in-law, and three sons-in-law. (Misspelled names were corrected in the Alt text.)

Journal and Guide (1916-); Norfolk, Va. [Norfolk, Va]. 12 Dec 1959

Here’s a mention of the death of my great-grandfather in 1938.

Journal and Guide A Newspaper that is FIRST in the FIELD - in Readers - in News and in Advertising Section Two - Virginia - News of Interest From All Sections Section Two - Carolina - News of Interest From Southern States Vol. XXXVIII No. 33 Saturday, August 13, 1938 Price 10 cents
Orbit ORBIT, Va.-Richard Blount of Baltimore visited friends and relatives here recently. John Ailmond died at his home recently. Willle and Tay Harris recently attended the funeral of John Allmond here. Miss Doris Watkins died recently at her home. Regular services were held at Jones Grove Baptist Church here. The Rev. A. T. Louis was the speaker. Solomon Allmond is sick. Please see Howard Allmond for your Journal and Guide. (Misspelled names were corrected in the Alt text.)

Journal and Guide (1916-); Norfolk, Va. [Norfolk, Va]. 16 July 1938

To access this collection, you only need a library card from any library that has access. For instance, any Virginia resident can register for a library card from the Library of Virginia online and access the collection. Out-of-state residents would need to go to the library in person to get a card.

These are the databases included in the Historical Black Newspapers collection:

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