Newspaper Articles

Question

Are newspaper articles considered good sources. Back in the 1920's and maybe even later years things like this person visited this other person. Also family reunion's were published with a list of those present.

Answer 1

I know I love finding those. :) As someone I've seen said it before it was the Facebook of the their time. :)

Comments

I remember finding an obit where it said the person had passed away at their home at !;35 that afternoon.  So not only Facebook, papers back then were darn near Instagram.  LOL  

In today's world, we just don't think about how many newspapers had a morning, afternoon and evening edition..And a special edition thrown in there once in awhile too.

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Exactly! :) LOL

Answer 2

I use them as sources.

Answer 3

I also use them as sources; sometimes as clues to find records. Obituaries are obvious. I found a probate notice listing about 40 cousins that crumbled a brick wall. Just today I was able to put together some research notes and some record citations for nine or more children of a person who had such a remarkable estate that there was a lengthy news article.

They can also lead to more interesting biographies. I found one that confirmed the family story that my grandfather paid for his farm with two cans of milk a day.

Answer 4

Oh yes, but sometimes they get things wrong, so it pays to look at other newspaper articles that are using the same story.

I had one person from Derbyshire, England who emigrated to Australia and I found a wealth of information in the various newspapers to bring his biography to life. Although one paper said he came from Devon, the rest said Derby.

I sometimes add bits to biographies from the reporting of the assizes, like X was fined Y shillings for "stealing cabbages from the allotments", "letting his livestock roam the high street" "being drunk in the street" or "leaving his employment before he had worked the agreed full year" because it adds a bit of character to the profile.

Answer 5

I enjoy rummaging old newspaper archives very much.  Here is a profile I worked on -- Rev. John Blair Ward (1857-1928) -- for whom traditional public records were inadequate for sourcing his family connections and career.  Largely because he moved around a lot, and didn't travel with his family group intact, so picking him up on the census was a challenge.  But the local newspapers are very clear about his identity and his childrens' relationship to him.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Ward-5220

A list of archives of newspaper scans available online is here:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Newspaper_Repositories

Comments

Hello E Compton, I know you answered the question about newspapers back in 2017, but I just wanted to let you know (as a newbie) how much I appreciated your answer and your examples. It has answered a question I have been wondering about for a few days since I joined. It is so clear and consice. Thanks again

Vicki Heneker

Answer 6

106 years ago my great grandfather was the treasurer of the city of Everett WA. Allegedly (according to family lore) he abscounded with city funds (adjusted for inflation today worth $500k) and disappeared forever. I went to our library and went through all of the newspapers from 1911. I confirmed that the story was true and posted every detail in his WT biography. To me, newspapers are a treasure trove.

Answer 7

I love using newspapers as it helps to add character and interest to a profile. It amazes me how language has changes so much over time.

I've just finished one profile Sandwell-28 and linked to Cock-1033 who seems to have been the catalyst for the dire situation of the poor wife. I'm still working on the drowning of Jane COCK/COCKS/COX as there are over 20 reports nationwide, many with slightly different/additional information.

Answer 8

When you find the right newspapers in the right place and time, they are GOLD! That said, like any other source (including official records and carved-in-stone grave markers) they can be inaccurate.

As you check through every record you can find, the most accurate info will usually rise to the surface. Or at least you will have a good basis for analysis.

I have some newspaper articles about weddings that took place in the early 1900s in a small-ish Midwestern town. Those reports name the songs and when they appeared in the wedding program, and who played the piano and/or sang them.

Also, in detail, described the flowers used to decorate the venue (sometimes a church, sometimes a private home), the bride's and maid of honor's dresses, and other little details that no dry vital record could do.

One of the flower girls came down the aisle with the ring held in a calla lily flower.

They even reported the groom's (and sometimes the bride's) place of employment. Not to mention the relatives, friends, church and club memberships. There is nothing like a good newspaper article.

The articles that consist of bits and pieces of visiting can help you track down records in other places. I found a missing marriage record, two counties away, because of one line in a newspaper.

I'd recommend testing subscription sites at your local library, because they don't all have the same papers. If you don't get the right match of place and time to where you are in your research, you won't want to pay for a subscription.

Happy hunting!

Answer 9

Yes, Chris, newspapers are wonderful sources and sometimes the ONLY source for a marriage or death because records weren't kept or were destroyed in those frequent fires of the 1800s.  As pointed out in all the wonderful answers to your question, they can add rich details to a profile.  I only learned when and how my great grandfather arrived in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada because he and his siblings had a 50-year anniversary dinner in a restaurant and the details were published in the local newspaper.