Family History - Newspaper InformationFor family history, newspapers are an ideal source of background information. They are filled with all sorts of details, and are fascinating to browse. Even humble ancestors may be included, although you're most likely to find richer relations.
In family history, newspapers often provided a huge amount of detail. Local ones are always worth consulting. This one, from Louth, Lincolnshire, in 1835, reports fully on my aunt's wedding. It even lists her wedding presents. Births, Marriages and DeathsIf you know any important birth, marriage or death (BMD) dates for your ancestors, it may be worth checking in the papers. Richer relatives may have placed ads in national newspapers, such as The Times, The Scotsman, or The Gentleman’s Magazine (1731-1908).Example The Daily Universal Register was first published on 1 January 1785. Even the initial copy contained two death notices – a Capt Robert Walter of the Royal Navy, who died at Greenwich, and the Hon Miss Isabella Howard, second daughter to the Right Hon Lord Clonmore. It became The Times on 1 January 1788.
Others may have used local newspapers. In family history, newspapers from the local area are often harder to find, but are more likely to get results. The placing of death notices or obituaries become more common (and longer) in the late nineteenth century, although there are plenty of earlier ones to be found.
Example Local papers sometimes go into great detail, perhaps listing wedding presents. The funeral notice for my great grandfather, Frederick Watkins, appeared in The Lincolnshire Chronical in March 1915. From it, I even learnt that "Praise to the holiest" was sung in church, and "Now the labourer's task is o'er" at the graveside Court AppearancesYour ancestor may have appeared in court for all sorts of reasons. He or she may have been the victim or the criminal. Particularly juicy cases may even make the national papers, to spice up your family history. Newspapers even covered divorce cases.
Example My great grandfather, Richard Vizard, sued my great grandmother for divorce around 1900. She was aged 38 and had three children, and they lived in Cardiff. He accused her of having an affair with a one-legged chapelgoer, who was aged 72. Richard and Mary Ann were not rich or famous, but the case had plenty of salacious details. No wonder The Times covered the case! Newsworthy EventsAnyone can be swept up in newsworthy events – from agricultural labourers (aglabs) to lords. However, these can be hard to pinpoint without a date. One place that is worth searching is the Times digital archive.Example My great uncle Will had told me about his great grandfather, Watkin Watkins of Glanrhyd, near Brecon, who owned the New Inn pub. I searched the Times on spec, for “Watkin Watkins” and “Glanrhyd”, and was amazed to come up with a story about his house being hit by lightening in January 1834. Twelve people were there at the time, but luckily no-one was hurt! It was obviously a quiet news day.
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