When you’re looking for ways to get your story out there, don’t overlook local newspapers, historical newsletters, and other small publications. A few years ago, I was invited to write up a story on an ancestor, Ebenezer Darling, for the Killingly Villager newspaper. Ebenezer and his sons lived in Killingly, Connecticut, and they played prominent roles there in the nineteenth-century as doctors, mill owners, and farmers. The Villager has a regular column on local history, and I was very happy to oblige!
View Killingly Villager article about Ebenezer Darling
Local newspapers are always looking for material, and often welcome well-written stories of historical (or current!) local interest. Did Great-uncle Bob once own swampland in Louisiana that became a resort? Did Grandma Flo win the County Fair Bake-off five years in a row with her salsa bread? Write it up! Get it out there!
How To Get Started!
Here are a few suggestions for working with newspapers:
- Contact the editor to judge his or her interest in the story. You might propose several story ideas and see which one works best.
- Inquire about story length. They may tell you “as long as it takes to tell the story.” In any case, keep it under 700 words unless they ask you to make it longer.
- Revise, revise, revise! Take out anything that doesn’t directly relate to the story. Have several people look over the story and hear their input. Don’t feel compelled to take their suggestions, but give them fair airing.
- Highlight the local angle, with specific details as much as possible. Make sure you have your facts straight!
- Make it as easy as possible for the newspaper by giving them high-resolution digital images, concise captions, and references as appropriate. Be sure there are no copyright or royalty issues on anything you give them.
Newspapers can give your ancestor’s story exposure and permanence. Forevermore, that tale will be out there with high Googlability!
