Save Those Newspaper Clippings and Photographs!

Save Those Newspaper Clippings and Photographs!

James Chester McCann (1910-1980) was my maternal grandfather. He lived a rather interesting life (he was shot three times, but I digress). In fact, thanks to numerous newspaper articles his life, complete with narrow escapes, was well documented, especially his military service. Did you know the United States Army still used horse-mounted cavalry in the 1930s? Did you also know that the Coast Guard operated many of the landing craft used in the second world war? Thanks to several newspaper articles and family photographs James was most certainly aware. For instance, The Arizona Daily Star reported on 17 April 1937 that 1Lt. James McCann was elected president of the Pima Chapter, Reserve Officers Association. Subsequently, on 28 October 1937, the same newspaper reported that McCann’s chapter utilized the American Legion headquarters to conduct reserve officer events, including formal dances. 

            James eventually left the army only to find himself in the Coast Guard. He was assigned to LST 763 (Landing Ship, Tank) as the vessel’s gunnery officer. He experienced combat at Okinawa and Iwo Jima. There is an old newspaper clipping from the 4 March 1945 edition of the Arizona Republic complete with photographs of James and his brother-in-law. Somewhere in the South Pacific, probably aboard LST 763, James unexpectantly “looked up from his duties to see his brother-in-law, Corp. Joseph A. Holden.” Fortunately, especially when old newspapers and family photographs are forever lost, there are several online resources with historical newspapers to help find those missing articles.

            So what websites are accessible? Unfortunately, many of the most comprehensive sites are hidden behind a paywall. University students can access many of these sites, including specialist databases, as access is part of their tuition. Otherwise, a subscription is usually required. However, one insightful yet slightly macabre option is to visit the Find a Grave website. This member-supported resource is searchable by name, date of birth, date of death, and location.