- Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/38756) - []() - []() - []() # Exploring the History of Pandemics with MyHeritage Library Edition Our partners at MyHeritage dug into their newspaper collections to learn more about people’s attitudes toward masks, romance and retail shopping during the Spanish flu pandemic a century ago. ![blog myheritage family spanish flu image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/blog-myheritage-family-spanish-flu-image-780.png) [Tammy Ross, MA, MLIS](/ebscopost/bio/tammy-ross-ma-mlis) 10 February 2021 In the year since the coronavirus pandemic began, the world as we once knew it has changed dramatically. We’ve seen toilet paper and hand sanitizer shortages, long lines at the supermarket, and a spike in online shopping. New words and phrases have entered our daily vocabulary: social distancing, self-isolating, quarantining, flattening the curve, asymptomatic and community spread. While these are all new experiences for us, it is important to note that many of our ancestors endured similar challenges a century ago. Our partners at *MyHeritage* have published three unique blog posts that offer a glimpse into what life was like for people who lived through one of the deadliest influenza pandemics in history — known as the [Spanish flu pandemic](https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/1918-flu-pandemic) — which infected 500 million people worldwide from February 1918 to April 1920. Patrons researching their family histories may be interested in reading these three blog posts and then diving into *MyHeritage*’s newspaper collections to learn more: ##### [Unmasking Pandemic Masks, Then and Now](https://blog.myheritage.com/2020/06/unmasking-pandemic-masks-then-and-now/) Researchers examined *MyHeritage*’s newspaper collections to understand attitudes toward mask-wearing during past pandemics. Sharing images from historical newspaper clippings, the article reveals the impact of masks on the ability to read people’s expressions, the use of masks to hide a “multitude of sins” (such as an unkempt beard), the ways in which people customized their masks as a form of self-expression, and the consequences of not wearing a mask in public. ##### [Love in the Time of the Spanish Flu](https://blog.myheritage.com/2020/08/love-in-the-time-of-the-spanish-flu/) During the COVID-19 pandemic, hugging and kissing has been replaced by the occasional elbow bump or foot tap. Although many might be experiencing “social distancing” fatigue, we aren’t the first generation that has missed showing affection toward our loved ones. Once again, researchers sifted through *MyHeritage*’s newspaper collections to learn how the Spanish flu of 1918 shaped our ancestors’ attitudes toward kissing. The article also describes a kooky little invention called the “kissing screen,” which people held between their lips while they kissed to keep from transmitting germs! ##### [Spanish Flu Retail Opportunities](https://blog.myheritage.com/2020/11/retail-opportunities-during-the-spanish-flu/) Millions of people around the world have lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many businesses have been forced to close. More than 100 years ago, people living during the Spanish flu had to adapt to new ways of shopping, and businesses had to pivot to survive the economic crisis that ensued. Today, people are demonstrating creativity and innovation — the same qualities that once guided our ancestors through difficult times. *MyHeritage Library Edition*™ is the world’s largest, most internationally diverse family history research database. This convenient genealogy product offers remote access to billions of historical documents from more than 48 countries and in 40 languages. Content includes census records, immigration records, military records, historical photographs and more. ### Not a MyHeritage Library Edition customer? View the e-brochure to learn why your library should subscribe. [ Download PDF ](/sites/g/files/nabnos191/files/acquiadam-assets/MyHeritage-Library-Edition-eBrochure.pdf) Category: [Library Resources ](/blogs/ebscopost/category/library-resources) Tags: [Public libraries](/blogs/ebscopost/tag/public-libraries) [Collection development](/blogs/ebscopost/tag/collection-development) [Research databases](/blogs/ebscopost/tag/research-databases) - Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/38756) - []() - []() - []() ## Related Posts [ ![blog rosetta woman train phone ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/blog-rosetta-woman-train-phone-780.png) ](/blogs/ebscopost/six-surprising-benefits-learning-language) [Six Surprising Benefits of Learning a Language](/blogs/ebscopost/six-surprising-benefits-learning-language) 12 January 2021 [ ![consumer reports woman using laptop showing screen blog image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/consumer-reports-woman-using-laptop-showing-screen-blog-image-780.jpg) ](/blogs/ebscopost/consumerreportsorg-helping-library-users-make-smarter-safer-purchases) [ConsumerReports.org: Helping Library Users Make Smarter, Safer Purchases](/blogs/ebscopost/consumerreportsorg-helping-library-users-make-smarter-safer-purchases) 17 August 2020 [ ![find your place in the library blog image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/find-your-place-in-the-library-blog-image-780.jpg) ](/blogs/ebscopost/finding-place-library-home) [Finding a Place at the Library ― From Home](/blogs/ebscopost/finding-place-library-home) 16 April 2020