Digitisation Project: British Newspapers 1800-1900

scooter · Post by **scooter** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:22 am

Hi Alan,

I can see a few titles there that TS members might be especially interested in, the Glasgow Herald is particularly exciting. Do you think the 2008 objectives mean that this project will be open to everyone else?

"Objective 2008

To digitise 3,000,000 pages of British newspapers and to offer worldwide access to that collection via a sophisticated searching and browsing interface on the web."

Best,

Scott

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:00 pm

Hello Scott,

That’s the very thought that flashed through my mind when I read it. But then I thought they would mean via the Gale database.

It’s not too clear what it is they mean. Just allowing free access to UK students and Worldwide via Gale, if you’re lucky, doesn’t seem to meet the promise of the objective. The offer might be an offer to sell.

But, we might be lucky.

All the best,
Alan

scooter · Post by **scooter** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:10 pm

Hi Alan,

I was working in St Pancras last week, and had an hour to kill before my train home, so I made use of my readers card and nipped into the British Library where the new database is free to view.

It's quite a decent effort, very much in the style of the Times archive, and of all the searches I did, only once did it come back with something odd. Being able to search everything at once was a bonus, and the advanced search was useful to narrow things down.

I found my rogue grandfather mentioned in The London Dispatch and People's Political and Social Reformer! I also looked through some of the BDM announcements in the Glasgow Herald, which prior to 1855 (currently to 1820) is going to be very useful for a lot of people. I found quite a few individuals with my surname who I'd not come across before.

Anyway, roll on the next phase and public access!

Best,

Scott