This was done as there were family in these cities. Diane Jacobs Somerset, NJ Message Board Post: I have come across a few death notices of my ancesters in the Baltimore Sun. They range from 1850-1900. I have noticed on a few the following line: "[Philadelphia, Reading and Lancaster papers please copy]" What was the purpose of this line? Was the copy a normal part of newspaper business then? Was it done at the request of the family of the deceased? If it was done at the behest of the family, is there a chance that there were other family members in the other city that were meant to see it?