Getty Images and Ancestry Partner to Digitally Preserve Historic Archives of HBCUs
Getty Images (NYSE: GETY) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Ancestry to digitally preserve historical documents and photographs from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The initiative, part of Getty Images' HBCU Grants Program, will make these archives searchable on Ancestry's platforms.
The partnership will focus on digitizing newsletters, newspapers, bulletins, student records, school catalogues, yearbooks, directories, and photographs. Participating HBCUs will retain full copyright ownership of their materials and receive complimentary campus-wide access to Ancestry's platform.
The program launched at Lincoln University, the nation's first degree-granting HBCU, where Ancestry has begun digitizing historical documents including the Lincolnian and archival photographs dating back to 1854. This collaboration aims to protect valuable historical records while enabling families to discover untold stories of HBCU alumni and ancestors.
Getty Images (NYSE: GETY) ha annunciato una partnership innovativa con Ancestry per preservare digitalmente documenti storici e fotografie delle Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). L'iniziativa, parte del Programma di Borse HBCU di Getty Images, renderà questi archivi ricercabili sulle piattaforme di Ancestry.
La collaborazione si concentrerà sulla digitalizzazione di newsletter, giornali, bollettini, registri degli studenti, cataloghi scolastici, annuari, elenchi e fotografie. Le HBCU coinvolte manterranno la piena proprietà dei diritti d'autore sui materiali e riceveranno accesso gratuito all'intera piattaforma di Ancestry per il campus.
Il programma è stato avviato presso la Lincoln University, la prima HBCU a concedere titoli di studio negli Stati Uniti, dove Ancestry ha iniziato a digitalizzare documenti storici come il Lincolnian e fotografie d'archivio risalenti al 1854. Questa collaborazione mira a proteggere preziosi archivi storici e a permettere alle famiglie di scoprire storie inedite di ex studenti e antenati delle HBCU.
Getty Images (NYSE: GETY) ha anunciado una asociación innovadora con Ancestry para preservar digitalmente documentos históricos y fotografías de las Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). La iniciativa, parte del Programa de Becas HBCU de Getty Images, hará que estos archivos sean accesibles y buscables en las plataformas de Ancestry.
La colaboración se centrará en la digitalización de boletines, periódicos, avisos, registros estudiantiles, catálogos escolares, anuarios, directorios y fotografías. Las HBCU participantes conservarán la propiedad total de los derechos de autor de sus materiales y recibirán acceso gratuito en todo el campus a la plataforma de Ancestry.
El programa se lanzó en la Lincoln University, la primera HBCU que otorgó títulos en el país, donde Ancestry ha comenzado a digitalizar documentos históricos, incluyendo el Lincolnian y fotografías de archivo que datan de 1854. Esta colaboración busca proteger valiosos registros históricos y permitir que las familias descubran historias inéditas de exalumnos y antepasados de las HBCU.
Getty Images (NYSE: GETY)는 Ancestry와 혁신적인 파트너십을 발표하여 역사적인 흑인 대학(HBCU)의 문서와 사진을 디지털로 보존합니다. 이 이니셔티브는 Getty Images의 HBCU 장학금 프로그램의 일환으로, 이 자료들을 Ancestry 플랫폼에서 검색할 수 있게 만듭니다.
이번 파트너십은 뉴스레터, 신문, 게시판, 학생 기록, 학교 안내서, 연감, 명부 및 사진의 디지털화에 중점을 둡니다. 참여하는 HBCU는 자료에 대한 저작권을 완전히 소유하며, Ancestry 플랫폼에 캠퍼스 전체 무료 접근 권한을 받게 됩니다.
이 프로그램은 미국 최초 학위 수여 HBCU인 Lincoln University에서 시작되었으며, Ancestry는 1854년까지 거슬러 올라가는 Lincolnian과 아카이브 사진 등 역사적 문서들을 디지털화하고 있습니다. 이 협력은 귀중한 역사 기록을 보호하고 가족들이 HBCU 졸업생과 조상의 숨겨진 이야기를 발견할 수 있도록 돕는 것을 목표로 합니다.
Getty Images (NYSE : GETY) a annoncé un partenariat révolutionnaire avec Ancestry pour préserver numériquement des documents historiques et des photographies des Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Cette initiative, faisant partie du programme de bourses HBCU de Getty Images, rendra ces archives consultables sur les plateformes d'Ancestry.
Le partenariat se concentrera sur la numérisation de newsletters, journaux, bulletins, dossiers étudiants, catalogues scolaires, annuaires, répertoires et photographies. Les HBCU participantes conserveront l'entière propriété des droits d'auteur de leurs documents et bénéficieront d'un accès gratuit à la plateforme d'Ancestry pour l'ensemble du campus.
Le programme a été lancé à la Lincoln University, la première HBCU à délivrer des diplômes aux États-Unis, où Ancestry a commencé à numériser des documents historiques, y compris le Lincolnian et des photographies d'archives datant de 1854. Cette collaboration vise à protéger des archives historiques précieuses tout en permettant aux familles de découvrir des histoires inédites d'anciens élèves et d'ancêtres des HBCU.
Getty Images (NYSE: GETY) hat eine bahnbrechende Partnerschaft mit Ancestry angekündigt, um historische Dokumente und Fotografien von Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) digital zu bewahren. Die Initiative ist Teil des HBCU-Stipendienprogramms von Getty Images und macht diese Archive auf den Plattformen von Ancestry durchsuchbar.
Der Schwerpunkt der Partnerschaft liegt auf der Digitalisierung von Newslettern, Zeitungen, Mitteilungsblättern, Studentenakten, Schulverzeichnissen, Jahrbüchern, Verzeichnissen und Fotografien. Die teilnehmenden HBCUs behalten das volle Urheberrecht an ihren Materialien und erhalten kostenlosen campusweiten Zugang zur Ancestry-Plattform.
Das Programm startete an der Lincoln University, der ersten HBCU in den USA, die Abschlüsse vergibt. Dort hat Ancestry mit der Digitalisierung historischer Dokumente begonnen, darunter der Lincolnian und Archivfotos aus dem Jahr 1854. Diese Zusammenarbeit soll wertvolle historische Aufzeichnungen schützen und Familien ermöglichen, bisher unbekannte Geschichten von HBCU-Absolventen und Vorfahren zu entdecken.
- Partnership creates new revenue potential through digital licensing of HBCU archives
- Expansion of Getty Images' content library with unique historical materials
- Strategic alliance with Ancestry strengthens Getty's market position in historical content
- None.
Insights
Getty Images partners with Ancestry to digitize HBCU archives, expanding content offerings while building presence in historical preservation.
Getty Images (NYSE:
The partnership structure is noteworthy: HBCUs retain full copyright ownership of their materials while gaining digital preservation services and campus-wide access to Ancestry's platform. The collaboration has begun with Lincoln University, the nation's first degree-granting HBCU, with hundreds of archival photos already available for licensing through Getty's platform.
From a business perspective, this represents Getty's strategic expansion beyond traditional stock photography into specialized historical content preservation. The partnership creates a pathway for Getty to develop a unique content collection that connects visual history with genealogical resources. While the announcement doesn't disclose financial terms or revenue projections, it demonstrates Getty's commitment to diversifying its content catalog with culturally significant materials that might otherwise remain inaccessible or deteriorate over time.
For institutional stakeholders, this partnership offers a solution to the costly challenge of digital preservation while potentially creating new visibility for HBCU historical contributions through Ancestry's widely-used platform.
Getty-Ancestry partnership creates preservation pathway for at-risk HBCU historical records while maintaining institutional ownership.
This collaboration addresses a critical gap in digital preservation by targeting historically significant yet vulnerable archives from HBCUs. The technical approach is particularly notable: Ancestry will digitize materials on-site at each institution, ensuring proper handling of fragile documents while applying appropriate metadata standards – a crucial element for long-term digital accessibility.
The partnership model represents an innovative approach to institutional archives. Rather than acquiring rights, Getty and Ancestry provide digitization infrastructure while allowing HBCUs to maintain full ownership of their intellectual property. This creates a sustainable framework that respects institutional autonomy while making content discoverable through established digital platforms.
At Lincoln University, Ancestry has already begun digitizing the Lincolnian and deteriorating records from the university's archival collection dating back to 1854. This creates a template that could extend to other HBCUs, establishing a more comprehensive preservation network for these historically significant institutions.
The integration of these materials into Ancestry's searchable platform creates multiple access points for researchers, families, and the public to engage with previously difficult-to-access historical content. For the archives profession, this represents a significant case study in how commercial partnerships can advance preservation goals while respecting institutional rights and creating broader accessibility.
Ancestry will work with HBCUs to preserve their historical documents and rarely seen photography
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.
NEW YORK, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Getty Images (NYSE: GETY), a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace, has announced a first-of-its-kind genealogy-focused partnership with Ancestry, the global leader in family history. As part of Getty Images’ HBCU Grants Program, this initiative will focus on the digital preservation and accessibility of historical documents, records and the photographic archives of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Once digitized, these invaluable archives will become searchable on Ancestry websites, helping millions of people discover and connect with the rich legacy of HBCUs.
Working alongside Getty Images, Ancestry will collaborate with participating HBCUs to identify and digitize documents, such as newsletters, newspapers, bulletins, student records, school catalogues, yearbooks, directories, and photographs that are critical for digital preservation. These efforts extend an essential resource to HBCUs beyond imagery, ensuring the protection of invaluable intellectual property and proper metadata application.
Cassandra Illidge, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Executive Director of the HBCU Grants Program at Getty Images, said: “Since its launch in 2021, the HBCU Grants Program has primarily focused on preserving photography. However, during our visits to partner institutions, we recognized that our scope should be broader. Vital records and historical documents also need attention, as they significantly contribute to the important legacy of HBCUs. Our partnership with Ancestry enhances our commitment to preserving the valuable history of HBCUs and increases access, visibility, and awareness of untold stories for a global audience. 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.”
Through the program, HBCUs retain full copyright ownership to their print and digitized assets and data. Ancestry will contract directly with each HBCU and work collaboratively to digitize selected materials on-site. All digital files will be delivered to the HBCUs, and complimentary, campus-wide access to Ancestry’s platform will be provided, allowing students and faculty to explore and share their family histories and search millions of primary sources available on Ancestry.
“Ancestry is proud to partner with Getty Images and HBCUs to help preserve and celebrate the rich legacies of these important institutions for generations to come,” said Head of US Content and Philanthropic Initiatives at Ancestry, Dr. Lisa Pearl. “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.”
This partnership was initiated with Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting HBCU, in Pennsylvania, USA. Lincoln joined Getty Images’ HBCU Grants Program last year with hundreds of contemporary and archival photos currently available for licensing in the HBCU Collection on gettyimages.com. Ancestry has already started digitizing Lincoln’s historical documents, including the Lincolnian and deteriorating records, as well as hundreds of photographs from Lincoin’s archival collection.
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.
Getty Images and Ancestry launched their partnership at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. The companies worked alongside the Langston Hughes Memorial Library staff to discover and digitize historical documents, records and photographs from Lincoln’s historic archives which dates back to 1854. (Photos by Cassandra Illidge) Pictured: Tiffany Davis (Lincoln), Raquel Lightner (Lincoln), David Crockett (Ancestry) Not pictured: Ashley Gillard (Lincoln), Travis Primrose (Lincoln), Cassandra Illidge (Getty Images)
“We are immensely proud to partner with Getty Images and Ancestry to launch this partnership that will allow us the opportunity to not only tell the Lincoln story but also help families tell their stories of connections to the university,” said Lincoln University President Dr. Brenda A. Allen. “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.”
To learn more about the wider HBCU Grants Program, including the institutions working with Getty Images, additional program partners, scholarship and mentorship opportunities for students and access to the HBCU Collection, go to: https://www.gettyimages.com/corporate-responsibility/hbcu-partnership
Media Contact:
Jenna Attardi
Jenna.Attardi@gettyimages.com
FAQ
What is the purpose of Getty Images' partnership with Ancestry for HBCUs?
How will HBCUs benefit from the Getty Images (GETY) and Ancestry collaboration?
Which HBCU is the first to participate in Getty Images' digital preservation program?
What types of historical materials will be digitized through this Getty Images initiative?
