Thread: News article

I'm working on my very first novel. An article appeared in a newspaper about 116 years ago about the death of my ancestor. Is it legal to copy it word for word as though I am writing it today? As though I am the author? Or should I not use it? I don't want to get sued by some relative that might recognize it. How do I handle this?

If the newspaper or the author are still around, ask for permission. If not, you need to quote the article properly and list the source in the appendix.

I inherited a box of newspaper clippings from my great-grandmother. They are so old and faded/yellowed and no where on them is the name of the newspaper she cut them out of. So how do I tell the "source" so I can use?

I wouldn't copy it word for word as if you are the author under any circumstances. It might be in the public domain (I think news articles would public domain in most countries by 116 years), but it's poor form.

Tell your reader the truth if you're borrowing it, either in the story or in an appendix. If it is basic news, you can probably recreate something similar, but different which better serves the purposes of your story anyway. No need to use it verbatim.