RESEARCH TIPS
Newspapers
Newspaper archives are a goldmine for writers to explore in their research, says Tarja Moles
Tarja Moles
Newspapers, whether national dailies or local weeklies, can be real treasure troves for research and help writers tap into both current and historical matters.
Content
When you start your research, identify whether it’s the national, regional and/or local papers that are most likely to give you the information you need. Also consider whether you’d like to consult broadsheets and/or tabloids. After this, decide which newspaper section(s) might be the most suitable. News stories are the most obvious reason to research newspapers, but they also contain other types of content that may give you surprisingly useful information.
Family notices, such as those relating to births, deaths, marriages and anniversaries, can be helpful for family history research. Obituaries contain information on notable people. Such information can be used for family and local history research as well as in biographical writing or as prompts for creating fictional characters. Letters to the editor can expose much about the society and local communities: they reveal what kinds of social debates are going on and what people’s opinions, attitudes, aspirations and anxieties are.