A new partnership aims to digitally preserve historical archives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Getty Images, a global visual content marketplace, and Ancestry, a family history company, announced the collaboration that will focus on digitizing documents and photographic archives from HBCUs.
Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, the nation's first degree-granting HBCU, is the initial institution to participate in the program. The initiative is part of Getty Images’ HBCU Grants Program, which previously focused primarily on the preservation and licensing of photography.
The partnership will expand the scope to include historical documents such as newsletters, newspapers, student records, yearbooks, and directories. Ancestry will collaborate with participating HBCUs to identify and digitize selected materials on-site.
Once digitized, the archives will become searchable on the Ancestry website. This aims to help individuals discover and connect with the history of HBCUs and their alumni.
Cassandra Illidge, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Executive Director of the HBCU Grants Program at Getty Images, stated that during visits to partner institutions, the need to broaden preservation efforts beyond photography became clear. "Vital records and historical documents also need attention," Illidge said. "By connecting students, alumni, and institutions through genealogy, we aim to create richer context for historical research and foster a deeper understanding of family history."
Under the agreement, HBCUs will retain full copyright ownership of their print and digitized assets. The digital files will be delivered back to the universities.
Participating schools will receive campus-wide access to Ancestry’s platform. They can also benefit from earnings through licensing fees for photos made available through the HBCU Collection.
Ancestry has begun digitizing historical documents at Lincoln University, including the Lincolnian newspaper and older records. Hundreds of photos from Lincoln’s archives are also being processed.
Dr. Lisa Pearl, Head of US Content and Philanthropic Initiatives at Ancestry, said the partnership protects documents and opens doors for families to uncover stories of HBCU alumni and ancestors.
"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," said Lincoln University President Dr. Brenda A. Allen.
