As we pointed out in our article last week (see Cat Poem by Ethel Maude Colson Shows Her Love), you never know when or where your ancestor might appear in an old newspaper. Perhaps your ancestor submitted a favorite family meal in a recipe contest, or wrote a letter to the editor about an issue of great importance to the town – or perhaps your ancestor was a poet, and had a poem published in the local paper many years ago.
These discoveries take your family history research beyond vital statistics, moving past the names and dates on the family tree to real people with individual lives – revealed through their stories and their own writings as preserved in old newspapers, such as GenealogyBank’s online Historical Newspaper Archives.
For example, what if you never knew that your ancestor June Century was a poet – and then you suddenly find her poem published in this 1905 newspaper? Now you know she had a way with words, and was inspired one night long ago by the sight of a full moon.
Her poem “A Night Reverie” begins this way:
She thinks back over the course of human history, and finds a constant that ties us all together: people throughout time have gazed up in wonder and delight at the sight of a full moon – including one very special watcher of the night sky.
Her poem’s closing stanza:
April is National Poetry Month. Did you know GenealogyBank’s newspaper collection has a special search category for Poems & Songs? Come take a look today and see what poetic gems you can find.
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