PACLEARF-L Archives

From: "Carter" <>
Subject: Penfield Weekly Press
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2002 12:35:59 -0600

I have been asked how I obtained the above paper and so thought I would
answer to the list.

I located the microfilmed PA newspapers on the web site for the PA State
Library. (I will list the instructions below.) I then go to my public
library and make a request for an interlibrary loan. The papers do not
always come from PA tho. Some have come from MI. Many historical societies
and genealogical societies have the papers but do not loan them out. It
usually takes 6 weeks for them to come and you can usually have them for 3
weeks. So plan a bit. There is nothing worse than having your paper
available when you are on vacation or otherwise too busy to read it. Some of
the papers are in bad shape, torn, dark, and missing editions, but I think
they are still worth viewing.

Some papers have a lot of local information. Some have none. Some are easy
to read, like the Penfield Press. It maintains it's format week to week.
Some papers use deaths, weddings, and births as 2 line fillers and you have
to search for them. The papers do not list these items as our papers do now.
I think the information was included only if the family requested it or if
it was something out of the ordinary. Keep in mind, if something happened in
Jan it might not get into the paper until Feb as it took that long for a
person to come into town and visit the paper's office. Unless you know the
date of something you are looking for, it's best to view a weekly paper.
Dailies take a long time to read through. And a word of warning. After
spending hours scanning the pages of small print, it is very difficult to
sit down and read a full page in a real book as your eyes continue to scan
the words. :o)

Here is the web site.
http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/site/default.asp

On the right side of the page click on state library catalog. On that page
click on the guided search tab. In the first box type newspapers, using as
a phrase in the box next to it. In the next search box, type Penfield (or
Clearfield County or whatever county, city, you are interested in) and again
use as a phrase. Click search. This should bring up a list of what is
available. Click on the title of the paper you are interested in and it will
give you more about info.

I hope this help. If anyone has other questions I would be glad to try and
answer them.

Beverly Carter

This thread:

• Penfield Weekly Press by "Carter" <>