Newspapers.com Clippings: The Giddens Family—with a Little Help from AI

Illustration created with OpenAI, July 2026

Today, when I clipped an article at Newspapers.com, digital confetti began falling across my screen. I had just created my 1,000th clipping.

A clipping is a section of a digitized newspaper page that a Newspapers.com user selects and saves. It might be an obituary, marriage announcement, photograph, advertisement, or local news story.

Creating a clipping makes the article easier to find again. It can also be tagged and shared with others.

I am always discovering interesting newspaper articles, but I could never write separate blog posts about each one. Some provide important evidence for my research, while others simply offer an amusing or revealing glimpse into the everyday lives of family members.

More than 300 of my Newspapers.com clippings relate solely to the Giddens family. I knew family members might enjoy seeing them, but sharing so many individual articles seemed overwhelming. With a little help from AI, I found a practical way to organize the clippings into a table and make many more available to family members at one time.

How I Created the Table

To create the table below, I opened a selection of my recent Newspapers.com clippings using the Comet browser and Comet Assistant.

I asked the assistant to prepare a brief description of each clipping and arrange the information in a table. I also asked it to include a link to the original clipping and a source citation.

Within minutes, the assistant created a table containing the newspaper date, title, a brief summary of the article, and a citation for each clipping. I then reviewed the entries, compared the summaries and citations with the original newspaper articles, and made corrections as needed.

The table includes only a small selection of my Giddens clippings. Readers can click the links to view the original clippings at Newspapers.com.

Artificial intelligence did not conduct the research or decide which articles were important. I had already found, clipped, and tagged the articles myself. In this case, AI simply helped me organize the information I had collected and present it in a format that was easier to share more widely.

This is only the beginning. If family members enjoy looking through these clippings, I can organize and share more of the Giddens collection in future posts.

Date	Clipping Title	Summary	Citation
20 Oct 1888	Charles A. Giddens Post Office in Giddensville	Brief item concerning Charles A. Giddens and the Giddensville post office.	“Charles A. Giddens POffice - Giddensville,” Durham Globe (Durham, North Carolina), 20 October 1888, page 4, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/durham-globe-charles-a-giddens-poffice/163426181/.
13 Feb 1890	David C Giddens - Clever Salesman	Short local notice describing David C. Giddens as a clever salesman.	“David C Giddens - Clever Salesman,” The Caucasian (Clinton, North Carolina), 13 February 1890, page 3, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-caucasian-david-c-giddens-clever-s/164057583/.
27 Mar 1890	Storm in Giddensville	Report of a storm affecting Giddensville.	“Storm in Giddensville,” The Caucasian (Clinton, North Carolina), 27 March 1890, page 3, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-caucasian-storm-in-giddensville/163426405/.
12 Mar 1891	Giddensville Items - investigate the NY person	Local Giddensville items column including a note about investigating a New York person.	“Giddensville Items - investigate the NY person,” The Caucasian (Clinton, North Carolina), 12 March 1891, page 1, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-caucasian-giddensville-items-inves/163426529/.
14 Dec 1893	David C Giddens lost $75 in fire	Local report that David C. Giddens suffered a $75 loss in a fire.	“David C Giddens lost $75 in fire,” The Caucasian (Clinton, North Carolina), 14 December 1893, page 2, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-caucasian-david-c-giddens-lost-75-i/164057649/.
29 Aug 1895	Giddensville items	Local Giddensville news column with community items.	“Giddensville items,” The Sampson Democrat (Clinton, North Carolina), 29 August 1895, page 4, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sampson-democrat-giddensville-items/163426624/.
29 Aug 1895	At and Around Giddensville 1895	“At and Around Giddensville” column reporting local happenings.	“At and Around Giddensville 1895,” The Sampson Democrat (Clinton, North Carolina), 29 August 1895, page 4, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sampson-democrat-at-and-around-gidde/31044416/.
12 Sep 1895	Giddensville items news	Another local Giddensville news column with brief community notices.	“Giddensville items news,” The Sampson Democrat (Clinton, North Carolina), 12 September 1895, page 3, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sampson-democrat-giddensville-items/163426734/.
12 Dec 1895	Giddensville items	Brief local items column relating to Giddensville.	“Giddensville items,” The Sampson Democrat (Clinton, North Carolina), 12 December 1895, page 2, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sampson-democrat-giddensville-items/163426680/.
7 May 1896	David C Giddens elected Commissioner	Notice that David C. Giddens was elected commissioner.	“David C Giddens elected Commissioner,” The Sampson Democrat (Clinton, North Carolina), 7 May 1896, page 3, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sampson-democrat-david-c-giddens-ele/164057680/.
18 Jun 1896	Giddensville Items 1896	Community news items from Giddensville.	“Giddensville Items 1896,” The Sampson Democrat (Clinton, North Carolina), 18 June 1896, page 2, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sampson-democrat-giddensville-items/31043720/.
26 Nov 1896	David C Giddens - Saloon Robbed	Report that David C. Giddens’s saloon was robbed.	“David C Giddens - Saloon Robbed,” The Sampson Democrat (Clinton, North Carolina), 26 November 1896, page 2, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sampson-democrat-david-c-giddens-s/164057705/.
11 Feb 1897	David C Giddens pneumonia	Notice reporting that David C. Giddens had pneumonia.	“David C Giddens pneumonia,” The Sampson Democrat (Clinton, North Carolina), 11 February 1897, page 3, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sampson-democrat-david-c-giddens-pne/164057719/.
3 Nov 1899	Sallie Giddens - Giddensville obit 1899	Obituary or death notice for Sallie Giddens of Giddensville.	“Sallie Giddens - Giddensville obit 1899,” The Wilmington Morning Star (Wilmington, North Carolina), 3 November 1899, page 2, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wilmington-morning-star-sallie-gidde/31043498/.
22 Mar 1900	Mr. Giddens and Giddensville	Brief item connecting Mr. Giddens with Giddensville.	“Mr. Giddens and Giddensville,” The Caucasian (Clinton, North Carolina), 22 March 1900, page 3, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-caucasian-mr-giddens-and-giddensvil/1795016/.
23 Jun 1900	D C Giddens funeral	Funeral notice for D. C. Giddens.	“D C Giddens funeral,” The Morning Post (Raleigh, North Carolina), 23 June 1900, page 3, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-post-d-c-giddens-funeral/164057769/.
12 Oct 1901	Fight between Charles A Giddens and Oliver Hager	News report about a fight involving Charles A. Giddens and Oliver Hager.	“Fight between Charles A Giddens and Oliver Hager,” The Allentown Leader (Allentown, Pennsylvania), 12 October 1901, page 6, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-allentown-leader-fight-between-charl/201149046/.
15 Aug 1916	Charles W. Giddens promoted to Sergeant in Machine Gun Company Page 1	Military notice reporting Charles W. Giddens’s promotion to sergeant in a machine gun company.	“Charles W. Giddens promoted to Sergeant in Machine Gun Company Page 1,” Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), 15 August 1916, page 1, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/lancaster-new-era-charles-w-giddens-pro/190237376/.
12 Oct 1916	Charles W Giddens - In El Paso - School at Fort Sill OK	Brief notice placing Charles W. Giddens in El Paso and referring to a school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.	“Charles W Giddens - In El Paso - School at Fort Sill OK,” El Paso Herald (El Paso, Texas), 12 October 1916, page 3, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-herald-charles-w-giddens-in-el/190243911/.
7 Jun 1928	Monroe Carson Giddens death	Death notice for Monroe Carson Giddens.	“Monroe Carson Giddens death,” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), 7 June 1928, page 11, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-monroe-carson-gidden/163427428/.
7 Jun 1928	Obituary for Monroe Carsen Giddens Sr	Obituary for Monroe Carsen Giddens Sr.	“Obituary for Monroe Carsen Giddens Sr,” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Virginia), 7 June 1928, page 2, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-obituary-for-monroe/126820896/.
7 Jun 1928	Monroe C Giddens Sr obit	Obituary notice for Monroe C. Giddens Sr.	“Monroe C Giddens Sr obit,” Ledger-Star (Norfolk, Virginia), 7 June 1928, page 28, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-star-monroe-c-giddens-sr-obit/163427282/.
8 Jun 1928	Monroe C Giddens Sr death	Death notice for Monroe C. Giddens Sr.	“Monroe C Giddens Sr death,” Ledger-Star (Norfolk, Virginia), 8 June 1928, page 25, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-star-monroe-c-giddens-sr-death/163427562/.
29 Oct 1943	Charles W Giddens - Chef Giddens donated	Brief local notice about Chef Charles W. Giddens making a donation.	“Charles W Giddens - Chef Giddens donated,” Sun-Tattler (Hollywood, Florida), 29 October 1943, page 5, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-tattler-charles-w-giddens-chef-gid/190244758/.
9 Sep 1948	Charles W Giddens - GOP worker	Brief political or civic item identifying Charles W. Giddens as a GOP worker.	“Charles W Giddens - GOP worker,” Fort Lauderdale News (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), 9 September 1948, page 5, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-lauderdale-news-charles-w-giddens/190244854/.
6 Mar 1958	Estate of Charles Giddens - begins bottom first column	Legal notice relating to the estate of Charles Giddens.	“Estate of Charles Giddens - begins bottom first column,” Sedalia Weekly Democrat (Sedalia, Missouri), 6 March 1958, page 4, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/sedalia-weekly-democrat-estate-of-charle/145788003/.
23 May 1972	Charles William Giddens - Obituary	Obituary for Charles William Giddens.	“Charles William Giddens - Obituary,” The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida), 23 May 1972, page 91, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-charles-william-giddens/190225811/.
14 Aug 1979	Mrs Arthur Samer - 2nd wife	Brief notice concerning Mrs. Arthur Samer, identified in the clipping title as a second wife.	“Mrs Arthur Samer - 2nd wife,” The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania), 14 August 1979, page 32, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call-mrs-arthur-samer-2nd/188230527/.
20 Nov 2023	Edith Giddens Davis, my grandmother, featured in the NY Daily News - lived at the Webster	Feature article or profile note about Edith Giddens Davis, identified in the clipping title as living at the Webster.	“Edith Giddens Davis, my grandmother, featured in the NY Daily News - lived at the Webster,” Daily News (New York, New York), 20 November 2023, page 16, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-edith-giddens-davis-my-grand/183708081/.
20 Nov 2023	Edith Giddens Davis - living at the Webster page 2	Continuation page for the Edith Giddens Davis article concerning residence at the Webster.	“Edith Giddens Davis - living at the Webster page 2,” Daily News (New York, New York), 20 November 2023, page 17, clipping, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-edith-giddens-davis-living/183708158/.

Glossary of Names and Places

Charles Allen Giddens (1865–1958) — Husband of Mary Lucy Glynn and father of Charles William, Warren, Florence, Elizabeth, and Edith Giddens. He operated a clothing and dry-goods business in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Charles Allen Giddens was the son of George L. Giddens and Luellen Bradshaw and was born in or near Giddensville in Sampson County, North Carolina. 

David Crockett Giddens — Son of Mitchell Giddens and Letisha Britt. He was part of the earlier Giddens family associated with Wayne, Duplin, and Sampson Counties, North Carolina.

Giddensville — A community in Sampson County, North Carolina, associated with the Giddens family.

Sallie Giddens — formerly Sarah Bradshaw — was married to John William Giddens, son of Mitchell Giddens and Letisha Britt. Sallie was the daughter of Edmond Bradshaw and Drusilla Rhodes, and the sister of my 2nd-great-grandmother, Luellen Bradshaw Giddens. 

Charles William Giddens (1892–1972) — Son of Charles Allen Giddens and Mary Lucy Glynn. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and later in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II. He married Louise Uhde in 1924.

Monroe Carson Giddens Sr. — was the son of John William Giddens and Sarah Bradshaw. 

Mrs. Arthur Samer — Emma May Richards, the second wife of Arthur Samer. Arthur's first wife was Florence Giddens, sister to my grandmother, Edith Giddens Davis. 

Edith Patricia Giddens — Daughter of Charles Allen Giddens and Mary Lucy Glynn and my grandmother.

If you would like to learn more about the families I research, follow my Facebook page, where I share each post and other genealogical finds.

Diana

© 2026

Resources

Comet is an AI-powered browser developed by Perplexity. Its built-in assistant can work with information displayed in open browser tabs, including summarizing and extracting details from webpages.

Perplexity Support, “Getting Started with Comet,” updated 16 July 2026, and Johnny Ho, “Assistant Panel,” 4 March 2026, Perplexity Help Center (https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/ : accessed 26 July 2026).

Newspapers.com allows users to select part of a digitized newspaper page, save it as a clipping, and share it with others. 

Newspapers.com, “Get Help,” clipping and multi-clip feature, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/help/ : accessed 26 July 2026).