More Knols on genealogical resources
in England and Wales
Census
Civil Registration
Directories
Parish Registers
World War One Records
The London Gazette
UK inward passenger lists
Introduction
Newspaper archives are rapidly becoming a very important source of information for researching your family tree. Many newspaper archives are now being made available online, some pay per view, but many available free through your local library. Each of them accessible by keyword or text searching. This Knol looks at newspaper archives in the United Kingdom and their importance in discovering your family tree and the drawbacks of using newspapers.Newspaper Archives
British Library The primary source for newspaper archives is British Library Newspapers. The collection, which is the largest in the UK, consists of British and overseas newspapers, and popular magazines and periodicals. At their reading rooms in London they are available in hard copy, microfilm, CD-ROM, and via two online sources.
British Newspapers 1800 - 1900. A collection of 49 local and national titles. This is available at the British Library, or at universities and other subscribing institutions, or local libraries. Or by payment for a 24 hr and 7 day pass on the website. Access to the Penny Illustrated Paper and The Graphic is free.
A very limited number of the British Library's newspaper collection is available on Olive Software website, free to search and view.
The Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (ncse) is a free, online edition of six nineteenth-century periodicals and newspapers which are the Monthly Repository (1806-1837) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Northern Star (1838-1852, Leader (1850-1860), English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), Tomahawk (1867-1870) and Publishers’ Circular (1880-1890)
Guardian and Observer newspapers
Guardian and Observer newspapers. 1821-2000 for the Guardian, and 1791-2000 for the Observer. Pay for 24 hours or longer. This can also be accessed for free through some UK county libraries. Speak to your local librarian.
Daily Mirror, Daily Express
Daily Mirror archive 1903 - 1980. The archive will in future include the Daily Express and other publications. Pay for 48 hrs or longer. This can also be accessed for free through some UK county libraries. Speak to your local librarian.
The Times
The Times digital archives 1785 - 1985 is operated by Thomson Gale databases and can be accessed through some UK county libraries and universities. Speak to your local librarian.
The Scotsman
The Scotsman 1817 - 1950. Payment or free for Athens users.
Irish Times
The Irish Times 1851 - 2007. Payment.
Other sources
County Record Offices and County Libraries often hold extensive collections of newspapers in hard copy, microfilm or digitally. Enquire at the relevant local institution.Problems with Newspapers
A glance at our present day newspapers immediately reveals the problem with newspapers. They full of mistakes, misquotes, and do not contain all the facts. They are also written with a particular reader in mind and their attitudes. The same applies to 19th century newspapers, so one must bear this in mind when reading them.Conclusion
Having pointed out the problems, it must be said, however, that newspapers are an excellent source of information for your family tree and they should be included in your research.For a review of other newspaper archives especially in the United States, the Knol Online newspaper archives is recommended.
More Knols on genealogical resources in England and Wales
Census
Civil Registration
Directories
Parish Registers
World War One Records
The London Gazette
UK inward passenger lists
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