NEWSPLAN London and the South East

History and Society Through Local Newspapers
in London and the South East

Local newspapers

The Kentish Post in 1717 was among the earliest British newspapers.

Why are local newspapers important? They are key sources for anyone studying family history or the local and social history of communities. They provide information for students and readers of all ages whether they are doing school projects or writing university theses, drawing up family trees or researching pictures and illustrations. The NEWSPLAN programme records and preserves local newspapers.

What can you read there? Family history and genealogy in birth, marriage, death notices and some obituaries. Accident, crime, court and coroners' inquest reports. Local histories of schools, churches, houses and events. Sports and games reports, local shows. Political, council and official matters. Notes and notices of local business, shops, finance and industry. Photographs, engravings and masses of advertisements.

What might you find there? All kinds of contemporary accounts of historic events. The national news makes the main headlines. But remember that especially before the railways came local newspapers reported much national and international news. Remember, too, that local newspaper reporters were right on the spot to witness the terror of Jack the Ripper in London's East End in 1888, the tragedy of the Hungerford massacre in 1987, the 'little ships' bringing an army safe home from the Dunkirk beaches in 1940 - and countless other events.

What may the search and chase for clues bring? See how subjects return with different coverage - Bosnia was reported in 1909 as well as in 1992. See attitude changes over time to murder, civil rights, divorce and so many other issues - Battersea Dogs Home was much criticised when first set up; Napoleon's exhumation was described in detail; Queen Victoria's death practically extinguished all other news. One local newspaper reader found lists of Sussex prisoners of war in French prisons in1812 during the Napoleonic wars; another discovered one of the last matches played by the great cricketer WG Grace in Bexley in 1915; yet another traced a rogue shipping agent in 1870s Littlehampton while one reader regarded his getting a first class degree to be due in part to reading about immigration appeals in his local London newspaper.

Click on Search Newspapers now to begin your search into history.

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