How far back do you want to go? The MD Archives in Annapolis has most of the
OLD newspapers from several old newspapers, namely the Record Observer from
Centreville and whatever the paper was in Queenstown that ceased to exist
somewhere around 1955. However, in Centreville a couple years ago, they did have
many years of old newspapers bound in hardback ledgers there in the Record
Observer offfice on Broadway just past the court house. As I recall, most of the
papers were from the early 1900's with a few dating back in the late 1800's.
They are in "critical" condition. They told me most of the old papers had
been sent to the Archives as mentioned, but for some reason these remain. I
found an obituary for my ggrandfather in the 1920's but then I knew what I was
looking for as these papers are not catalogued and their condition makes it
difficult to move quickly through them. I am not sure they are still there or if
they will still let you go through them.
I am curious about your request concerning Willis as that is part of my
family. There are, however, two separate Willis families that I am aware of,
bearing no apparent relationship.
I hope this has helped you. As a "local" person, those old papers were a joy
to read and to find in the "Social" columns, the names of some of the older
people I knew as a child, and even some relatives, was like a walk back in
time.
Let me know about the Willis family.
Kay Seward Roser