Last week I wrote about my cousin Mary Brown Wood and the many, many family deaths she experienced. My friend Su Leslie who blogs here and here suggested that I look for a newspaper article to help learn the fate of Mary’s son, John Wood. I shared with her that I haven’t become a savvy Scottish newspaper searcher yet. She shared a few tips and her favorite newspaper website for Scottish newspapers – The British Newspaper Archive.
I gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised that they offer three free views to give you a taste of how their website works with your free registration. I wasn’t going to use any of those credits on a guess, so I still haven’t found a record for John Wood, but I did find three records for my family using all of my three free views productively. Among them was this marriage announcement for Mary’s granddaughter Agnes Blair Boyd Wood. What a sweet treasure! It felt wonderful to look into the beautiful, smiling face of Agnes and feel a bit of happy closure to the very sad tale of Mary.
I am definitely a fan of The British Newspaper Archive!
Once the busy-ness of RootsTech is over, I’m going to have to decide which subscription level is right for me.
Have you tried The British Newspaper Archive? If so, do you have any search tips to share?
Important side note: I LOVE newspapers and use them frequently. But if you have been following along, then you know that my tree is very diverse and I research all over the world. I hadn’t yet chased Scottish newspaper research because I have so many irons in the fire already, and the need wasn’t pressing. But it’s something I have been wanting to learn more about. I am so glad that Su shared a few tips and her favorite website. She is all Scottish so I especially value her opinion on this one. Thank you, dear Su! <3
I also love newspaper research, as I am sure you’ve realized by now! I am limited to US newspapers though—I wouldn’t be able to read much of any German newspapers or other European newspapers anyway. But having ancestors from the UK does open up a few more doors for newspaper research—that’s great! I am glad Su could help. 🙂
Thank you, Amy! Me too. 🙂
So nice of Su to clue you in on this new to you collection of newspapers. Isn’t it amazing how everyone wants to share and help with research when they read your blog?
Yes!! It’s the best part of blogging I think. 🙂
Su is wonderful!
Thank you (blush)
<3
Yes she is!! 🙂
Oh Amberly, I am so glad you were able to find some useful information through the BNA. And a wedding announcement with photo! Just perfect after so much sadness. I have an unlimited record search sub, so I’ll have a look and see if I can find a casualty report for John.
Thank you, Su! It was a great tip. It really did feel so wonderful to look at such a happy photo and feel some joyful closure for Mary’s story. Thank you, again!!
You are so welcome. I totally understand how special it is to find some good news in amongst so much suffering.