This is for information only. It is not an endorsement. I seriously doubt that it will be free. I don't have more information at this time. If your ancestors came through New York after 1851 it might be of use so you might keep your eye out for it. Entire Backfile of New York Times Going on the Internet The ProQuest Historical Newspapers (TM) is offering a complete backfile of the New York Times (along with other newspapers) from the first issue in 1851 through 1998, more than 3.5 million pages. Cover to cover, every page digitized, every word searchable, even the ads. Of key interest, all of the birth & marriage announcements and obituaries will be instantly retrievable. At a click genealogists can see the references in the digital images of the actual paper. Genealogical research just became a whole lot easier. This award-winning ProQuestR online information system features a user-friendly interface that allows beginners to pinpoint highly specific information (a photograph of John D. Rockefeller, for instance, or an eyewitness account of McKinley's assassination) or conduct in-depth longitudinal research (on topics like the changing status of African-Americans from antebellum days through the recent past). The interface is familiar to many; it is currently available to millions of higher education, K-12, and public library users globally.