Extra, extra! Find your ancestors in newspapers

Researching your family roots usually begins with collecting vital documents of birth, marriage and death, beginning with yourself and tracing back as many generations as possible. These vital records can be obtained from local church or civil government offices, where the events occurred. They are necessary to prove your lineage or pedigree tree. However, many people wish to know more than just the vital statistics of their family members.

Older family members may be able to share their own personal story and those of their parents. But what can you do if their memory is sketchy and unreliable, or if you have no remaining family members who knew about the earlier generation?

Newspapers can be the answer. They offer a wide assortment of biographical information, beyond obituary notices. For example, you may learn that your ancestor participated in sports, social organizations or ran for political office. And, you may be able to gain this information from online resource databases. Knowing what kind of genealogical information can be found in newspapers and how to access that information is essential to discovering those personal aspects of your ancestor.

Cuyahoga West Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society has invited Tom Cirincione to share his knowledge of “Using Newspaper in Genealogy,” at their Wednesday, Oct. 17 meeting in the Porter Room of Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. Social time, with refreshments, is from 6:30-7:00 p.m. The public is invited, at no charge. 

For more information, visit cwcogs.org or email cuyahogawest@gmail.com.