.png)
Have you ever wondered what daily life was like for your ancestors? Newspapers can be a rich source of historical context, offering glimpses into the world they inhabited. But here's a secret: you don't always need to find their names in print to bring their stories to life. By diving into newspaper headlines, advertisements, and local happenings, you can build a vivid backdrop for writing about a key moment in their lives.
Start With an Event
Before you can write about a day in your ancestor's daily life, start with an event in their life. It doesn't matter what the occasion is - birth, marriage, graduation, elopement, the birth of a child, death of a parent, leave for military service, return from service, move to a new town, etc.
In this case, I'll start with the marriage of Kathryn Anna Huber to John Douglas Collister on 8 August 1937 in Madrid, New Mexico.
Then, look for a newspaper from that date in that location.
The location may be a challenge. However, Madrid is a town in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. Therefore, the most likely paper serving that area is The Santa Fe New Mexican.
Ideally, you'll find a newspaper issue for the day the event in your ancestor's life happened. Otherwise, choose an issue before or after the event occurred.
Digging into the Newspaper
After identifying a relevant newspaper issue, explore it for clues that can add flavor and context to your ancestor's life.
Start by reviewing the newspaper header. For Kathryn's story, the header of The Santa Fe New Mexican offered a wealth of geographical context, boasting its status as "Southwest's Oldest Newspaper" and being published in "the Oldest Capital in America." Even this simple detail paints a picture of the rich history surrounding Kathryn and John’s wedding day.
Next, scan the headlines. What were the major events of the day? You don't need to include every headline, but try to find something that will enhance the backdrop of your story. In the issue I reviewed, one headline read, "Operation Separates Siamese Twin Babies." Imagine writing, "On the day an operation separated Siamese twin babies, Kathryn and John had something else to celebrate—their marriage."
Headlines like these can anchor your ancestor’s experience to larger historical events, making their story feel both personal and part of a broader world.
Exploring Local Weather and Society
Weather can add another layer to your story. Was there a chance of rain on your ancestor’s wedding day? A quick search of the weather section could reveal that, "The couple anticipated little chance of rain, with temperatures ranging from the 60s to 80s." Small details like these help paint a complete picture.
Newspaper advertisements are also a hidden gem for world-building. Even if you don’t know exactly what your ancestors purchased, ads from the era can give you a sense of the products and services they might have encountered. In 1937, for example, a Ford V8 cost around $533, and couples could enjoy dancing at local taverns. How did these things shape the lifestyle and decisions of people like Kathryn and John?
By reviewing ads and other news items, you can further explore the social and economic context of their daily lives. What kind of businesses advertised in their town? Were there signs of growth or decline? These details help build a fuller picture of their world.
↪️ Do you want to write a family history book?
Grab your copy of this FREE Writing Guide:
Moving Beyond the Event
While focusing on a specific event is a great way to start, you can take your storytelling further by expanding to the daily life of your ancestor. Local news sections, for example, may mention nearby events or festivals, political issues, or crime reports. In Kathryn’s case, Madrid was a mining town. What did that mean for its citizens? Was the town growing or shrinking? How did life there differ from Albuquerque, where she would later live with John?
A compelling narrative emerges when you compare and contrast different locations, lifestyles, and opportunities. Maybe Kathryn experienced culture shock moving from a small mining town to one of New Mexico’s largest cities. What would she have noticed first about Albuquerque? Were there more schools, job opportunities, or social events?
These comparisons help you avoid writing a boring family history and instead create a narrative that feels alive.
Write Your Ancestor’s Story with Confidence
Newspapers offer a treasure trove of information that can enrich your storytelling. By leveraging their headlines, ads, and local news, you can recreate a vivid day in the life of your ancestors—without needing their names in print.
I hope this inspires you to get started. Once you’ve written your story, let me know how it goes! And if you enjoyed this blog post, be sure to watch the full video where I dive deeper into these techniques.
Additional Social History Tips
For more ideas for researching your ancestor's hometown, check out the following:
