Newspaper Search

Search below for stories about ships, lighthouses, sailors and anything else about life on Lake Michigan. The database contains references to articles from the Ahnapee (Algoma) Record (June 12, 1873 to Jan. 7, 1927), the Door County Advocate (Nov. 8, 1861 to Dec. 22, 1949), and the Manitowoc Pilot (June 14, 1859 to Dec. 28, 1899). The results will direct you to the date and page in these newspapers where the article can be found.

Microfilm copies of the Ahnapee (Algoma) Record are available at the Wisconsin Historical Society Library in Madison, Algoma Public Library in Algoma. Microfilm copies of the Door County Advocate are available at the Wisconsin Historical Society Library in Madison, the Door County Public Library in Sturgeon Bay, and the Brown County Library in Green Bay. Microfilm of the Manitowoc Pilot are available at the Manitowoc County Historical Society, the Manitowoc Public Library, and the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison.

Check with your local library about obtaining the microfilm via interlibrary loan.






Newspaper Object Name Date Page Notes
Door County Advocate Schooner Ketcham 1883-04-26 3 Jacksonport to Chicago with wood
Door County Advocate Steamer Ketchem 1910-06-02 1 Still sunk in west Neebish channel
Door County Advocate Schooner Ketchum 1883-05-24 3 Cost to repair about $2,000
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Ketchum 1878-03-21 8 The Ketchum shines with a beautiful coat of green this spring.
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Schooner Ketchum 1878-03-28 8 Arrived at Ahnapee March 23 from Chicago. Departed 23rd for Chicago with 5,000 ties for E. Decker & Co.
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Schooner Ketchum 1877-04-19 8 Arrived at Ahnapee April 13 from Chicago: Cleared 13 for Chicago with 5,500 ties for H. Fax & Bro.
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Schooner Ketchum 1883-05-10 3 The Ketchum ran on the beach at Pilot Island. We have been unable to learn whether she has been released or not.
Manitowoc Pilot Schooner Ketchum 1879-09-04 3 Machinery on board for new mill down north
Manitowoc Pilot Schooner Ketchum 1882-10-05 3 Went up to the dry dock yard last week to receive a new centerboard
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Schooner Ketchum 1874-04-09 3 Cleared Ahnapee April 6 for Chicago with 5253 ties for S. Perry.

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This database is a cooperative effort of the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association (WUAA), the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS), and the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute. The project is spearheaded by WUAA member Russel Leitz, who helped develop a framework for the database and painstakingly combed through 54 years of the Ahnapee (Algoma) Record, 87 years of the Door County Advocate and 40 years of the Manitowoc Pilot for maritime news. The more than 50,000 references are the fruit of his labor alone.

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