Reading Between the Lines: Using Historical Newspapers to Enrich Family Stories

When I first came across the name Archibald McKenzie in my family tree, I didn’t expect to find a man charged with riot, assaulting a police officer, and serving time in prison. But what I uncovered through historical newspapers was far more than a criminal record—it was a story of resistance, migration, and survival. In this session, I’ll share how I used 19th-century newspaper reports to piece together the life of my 4x great-grandfather, an Irish Catholic who lived through famine, political unrest, and poverty. From a violent protest in rural Cork to a beer house brawl in industrial Wales, Archibald’s story unfolded in headlines and court reports—revealing not just what he did, but why he may have done it. This isn’t a lecture about tools or databases. It’s about how newspapers can help us understand the people behind the records—their voices, their choices, and the world they lived in. It’s about reading between the lines to find empathy, context, and connection. Sponsored by Findmypast