Week 50’s topic is “You Wouldn’t Believe It”. I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy reading newspaper archives, especially from smaller town papers. Genealogists can use them to help us establish timelines for research.  It also helps to establish locations and specific addresses where our ancestors lived.

The more interesting part of these articles is the type of information they would share. Some is more routine, such as family and friends visiting one another. They would also tell who was ill, or suffered accidents. A favorite story of mine is about my 2x great-grandmother, who apparently fell off from her horse near her father-in-law’s farm. She also fell off a chair once while cleaning a light on the ceiling. I feel I can relate to her because I’m clumsy at times!

Often today, I feel like we hear nothing but shocking news items. It truly is not new though. Newspapers, as a primary form of information, would carry shocking, and very direct information about world and local events. Often this involves our families. My great-uncle, who lost his arm in a threshing machine accident, attempted to take his life in an outhouse. This was chronicled in detail in the local newspaper.

I had another great-uncle who suffered a stroke on a hot day while working in the fields. The paper noted he was found wandering confused and remanded to a mental institution. I do have to say, in fairness, they did do a follow-up article with him after his release. They talked about how he said he was feeling much better and was happy to be back at home.

So I say – yes, I do believe it now, after reading newspaper archives!