BAnQ digitizes almost 3 million newspapers and magazine pages

The Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) announced it has digitized almost three million pages in 319 newspapers and magazines.

The project was supported by the Plan culturel numérique du Québec (Quebec cultural digitization plan), and the good news is it will continue.

Although BAnQ lists the Quebec Official Gazette and La Presse among the digitized publications that have been expanded in size, frankly, I did not find any more years than when I looked a couple of months ago. Other newspapers in the announcement include Le Devoir (1910-2009), Le Courrier de Saint-HyacintheLe Progrès du Golfe (Rimouski), and L’Union des Cantons de L’Est (Victoriaville).

All of the publications can be browsed by date and most can be searched, using the advanced search feature — recherches en texte intégral — on the Quebec Archives’ website. Then select Préciser la recherche, which will allow you to narrow date the date. (Note: The day after I published this blog post, BAnQ changed its website, rendering the link useless. During the week of December 11, I will write a blog post about the changes and how to search online newspapers, using the new search features.)

Quebec Official Gazette
By the way, if you have not yet searched the Quebec Official Gazette for your ancestors, I encourage you to give it a try by entering a family name in the search box. From 1869 to 1977, all of the issues are in English and French. After that, the issues are in French only. When you look for a surname, the search results will show the French text, but don’t panic. Simply search for the name you entered that will be highlighted in bold in a series of items. Click on that box/entry to see the page with English and French text side by side.

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4 Responses to BAnQ digitizes almost 3 million newspapers and magazine pages

  1. Jim says:

    The links in your post have changed. Is it no longer possible to only search the Quebec Gazette?

    • Gail Dever says:

      BAnQ changed their website at least twice this week. I will take a look and correct the link. When writing the article, I struggled with the newly organized website, and then a day later they reverted to the old look. This morning, they have gone back to the new look, making it almost impossible to search newspapers by key word. Stay tuned.

  2. Jim says:

    Thank you. I agree the old look was much easier to navigate and search specific publications.

  3. Carolyn says:

    Thank you so very much about writing about this resource. I was lucky enough to jump right in and locate over 20 items, including obituaries, on my direct ancestors! They were the kinds you cross your fingers and hope to find with parents’ full names (middle names too) and siblings all listed with current residences and spouses shown! I can’t wait to figure out the new setup so I can look for more. Merci beaucoup!

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