Digital RAIVAAJA Preservation Update
October 2024 At Finn Funn (10/26) weekend in Troy NH: The Raivaaja and New Yorkin Uutiset: Newspapers Connecting Finntowns were presented by–Bob Hanninen & Bob Saasto as well as a workshop on searching the RAIVAAJA 1905-2009 on line digital archive noted below.
October 2023: The project has passed a second important milestone: All newspapers may be downloaded here:
Raivaaja (Finnish-American) Newspaper Archive, 1905-2009
(A project completed in cooperation with the Boston Public Library through the Digital Commonwealth program)
December 2020: The project has passed a very important milestone:
18,494 RAIVAAJA newspapers, (124,468 pages) from 1905 to 2009 are
digitized and preserved (forever) including all Anniversary Editions
As of today: 15,393 RAIVAAJA newspapers, (102,845 pages)from 1920 to 2009 are digitized and preserved forever, in searchable pdf, and as jpeg files. Many complete newspaper examples are on the website.* Newspapers from Jan 1,1917 to December 31,1919 and microfilm of Jan 1,1926-Jnune 30, 1926 Raivaaja are in process.
In addition, all six pages of the first Raivaaja, published on 01/31/1905, is now digitized and preserved* along with two 1915 Raivaaja published books. They are also available for download at www.raivaaja.org.
Our intent is to make all these files freely available online at a future date.
In 2020, we again thank the Fitchburg Local Cultural Council which awarded the Raivaaja Foundation a grant to continue the digital preservation process. We have added thousands of dollars of many, many individual and organization donor gifts to completely digitize the 1917-1919 RAIVAAJA newspapers and the remaining early years archives.
We expect to complete all of the 1910’s by mid year and to continue exploring options to film and digitize more of the fragile 1905-1910 archives. Individual newspaper files and searches are available though the Foundation for free. Larger numbers of files are available on CD, DVD, or USB drive for a small donation to cover our media costs. Please ask.
To keep the project going, we do need a continuing source of funds. Each donation, grant, and award gets us a fraction of the way to completing digital preservation of over 100 years of RAIVAAJA archives which will make the photos, the newspapers, and the books available to anyone with access to an Internet connection.
Your support in any amount will help keep this project going. A donation form is available for your use at https://www.raivaaja.org/giftform.doc.
02-25-20 We are very pleased that 90 individuals, and organizations have given over $6,000 in donations and memorial gifts to the Raivaaja Foundation 2019-2020 appeal for preservation of and access to this important Finnish American historical record. Your encouraging notes are gratifying. Supporters are recognized on the donation pages at our website (blog): https://www.raivaaja.org/Blog/?page_id=334
Paljon kiitoksia! (Many thanks!)
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RAIVAAJA FOUNDATION is a fully qualified 501(c)(3) non profit incorporated in Massachusetts. RAIVAAJA has no paid staff and depends entirely on your generosity to preserve over 114 years of Raivaaja photos, books, and newspapers. Fed. Tax ID 20-2651367
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