Were births of babies recorded or announced in the newspapers back in the late 1800s, or their passing?. My great grandfather, WILLIAM DARLING, b. 1856 to d. ? had at least 7 or 8 babies who didn't survive. And 3 who did, including my grandpa, FRED DARLING. I was told recently, that only the wealthy, were privileged to get obituaries; to me that might be a cold fact, but maybe it is true. Thanks, Judy Lee