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A new partnership will digitize historical records from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to help preserve them, protect their ownership and incorporate them into genealogy search tools.
Getty Images announced in a news release this week that it will collaborate with the genealogy company Ancestry as part of its HBCU Grants Program, bringing school records to Ancestry websites. The grant program previously focused primarily on photos, making more than 10,000 photos available for viewing in the HBCU Collection on Getty Images.
“However, during our visits to partner institutions, we recognized that our scope should be broader,” Cassandra Illidge, executive director of the HBCU Grants Program, said in a public statement. “Vital records and historical documents also need attention, as they significantly contribute to the important legacy of HBCUs.”
The new partnership expands digitization work to documents such as newsletters, newspapers, student records and yearbooks. Ancestry will work with schools to handle their archival materials onsite.
The news release said Lincoln University was the first to join the partnership. The school has already contributed hundreds of photos to the HBCU photo collection, and Ancestry is starting to digitize school records and newspaper archives.
“Combining Getty Images’ expertise in producing high-quality visuals with Ancestry’s unparalleled genealogical resources, this collaboration will enrich our educational programs, foster deeper connections to our heritage, and empower our community to explore and celebrate the rich history of our university,” Brenda Allen, Lincoln University president, said in a public statement.
The news release said the alliance will help amplify the legacy of HBCUs while ensuring they retain full copyright to print and digitized assets.
Schools will also benefit from earnings from licensing fees and campuswide access to Ancestry’s platform.
“By combining the vast archives of these historic institutions with Ancestry's cutting-edge technology, we’re protecting these important documents and opening the door for families to uncover untold stories of inspiring HBCU alumni and ancestors,” Lisa Pearl, head of U.S. content and philanthropic initiatives at Ancestry, said in a public statement.