RootsChat.Com

General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Sam Spade on Saturday 04 October 08 19:40 BST (UK)

Title: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Sam Spade on Saturday 04 October 08 19:40 BST (UK)
I don't know how long this current free trial will last but it is
certainly available right now.

http://access.gale.com/newstrial/

Password : british




Moderator Comment: title edited to remove excess capital letters.
See Topic: >>----- Guidelines for Postings / Netiquette -----<<, Reply #2 for explanation.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,123033.0.html
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: crystalight on Saturday 04 October 08 20:42 BST (UK)
 ;D Thanks Sam -I will get onto that, my other link to Gale seems to be invalid now  :-\

Crystal  :D
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Calverley Lad on Saturday 04 October 08 21:59 BST (UK)
Good link that Sam.
Spent last 60minutes looking at what my family ancestors had been getting up to.
Having a rest now after reading small print.
 Brian
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: ankerdine on Saturday 04 October 08 22:13 BST (UK)
Hi Sam

I tried earlier but like Crystal couldn't access it any longer. I will have another go. It was wonderfull last time I access it, way back in the Spring/Summer

Judy
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: haydon on Saturday 04 October 08 22:50 BST (UK)
thanks SAM have found my grt grt grtgradfather  kept hotel aberdare.
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: IndisVanyar on Sunday 05 October 08 11:23 BST (UK)
Many thanks for the link. I have had a really good browse through The Ipswich Journal and found a reference to an accident in 1846 which led to the death of a Robert Ellington - quite possible the Robert Ellington that is my OH's gr x3 grandfather as he disappears from sight between the 1841 and 1851 cencii.

Fascinating stuff :)

Nell
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Siamese Girl on Sunday 05 October 08 16:38 BST (UK)
Oh brilliant! Thanks! I have SO missed my newspaper access - does anyone have a way into the C17th and C18th Burney newspaper database, which is the one I really want?

I do wish Gale would let people take out individual subscriptions :( What is the point of allowing all these free trials if they don't want to make money? It makes no sense....

Carole
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Anig on Sunday 05 October 08 21:18 BST (UK)
Doh... none of my ancestors seem rich/famous enough to be in the papers.  ;)
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Calverley Lad on Sunday 05 October 08 21:29 BST (UK)
Sorry about that anig.
Had another go looking for my ancestors, another hour spent reading.
(My how life has changed over the years?)
 Brian
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: little meg on Monday 06 October 08 06:56 BST (UK)
great site, just spent a good hour looking.

There is an option to enlarge the print, making for much easier reading  ;D

Margaret
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Anig on Monday 06 October 08 10:16 BST (UK)
I found someone!!  My great great Grandma's brother was taken to court over his dog biting someone.  Now i'm motivated to carry on looking for people. :)  (Can't just this very minute, though...  :D)
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Sam Spade on Monday 06 October 08 10:18 BST (UK)
Well done ;D I have finally found 1 member of my family, my great great grandfather was in the bankruptcy court being accused of fiddling his books :D :D
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: TF13 on Monday 06 October 08 13:59 BST (UK)
i found someone too :) the brother of my great grandfather brought a suit against the executors of his late father-in-laws will. he left £300 to the church and nothing to his family! and shortly after signing the will he handed over £470 to the witnesses to keep in their custody ::) apparently the deceased thought his relatives "unworthy" of the money. when one of the witnesses was approached by the son in law, the s in l said " he would not leave as much as would say a mass for the old rascals soul" which caused laughter in the court! there doesnt seem too much love going on there ;)

tony
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Roobarb on Monday 06 October 08 14:42 BST (UK)
Didn't look too promising for me at first but I've now found a news article where my ancestor administered first aid (hero) and then one when he was made bankrupt (zero)!!
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Roobarb on Monday 06 October 08 18:08 BST (UK)
This is wonderful Sam, thank you so much for posting the link
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Sam Spade on Monday 06 October 08 18:08 BST (UK)
your very welcome ;D
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: jaylay on Monday 06 October 08 20:36 BST (UK)
Yay - thank you Sam - great to have this access back!

Jaylay
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: tommytoronto on Monday 06 October 08 20:56 BST (UK)
Yay - they have Newcastle courant - found a couple of obits....YAY

thanks

Tom
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: slyvia on Tuesday 07 October 08 10:10 BST (UK)
Thanks Sam

You have brightened up a very dull morning I think I can see the sun trying to peep through.

Sylvia
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Sam Spade on Tuesday 07 October 08 10:16 BST (UK)
Lucky for you ;) it's raining cats and dogs here. ::)
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Lookin2 on Sunday 12 October 08 21:25 BST (UK)
I have been trying to access but unable to enter.   Am I doing it right by putting British as Password. I am trying to see Middlesex Independent and Chiswick and Isleworth Times.
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Anig on Sunday 12 October 08 21:51 BST (UK)
I just got into the site again, using the word -  british   - as a password.
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Sam Spade on Sunday 12 October 08 21:59 BST (UK)
This site is still up and running at the mo,I've had quite a few people emailing having problems the password is still british but seems to have a glitch every now and then, so be patient...
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: kizmiaz on Sunday 12 October 08 22:11 BST (UK)
Quote from: Lookin2 on Sunday 12 October 08 21:25 BST (UK)
I have been trying to access but unable to enter.   Am I doing it right by putting British as Password. I am trying to see Middlesex Independent and Chiswick and Isleworth Times.

Must all be lower case letters. 'British' will give an error, but 'british' should work fine.
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Lookin2 on Sunday 12 October 08 22:50 BST (UK)
Thank you lower case gave me admission.  However, looking at site location, cannot find anything for old Brentford, Middx. Am I sill missing something?
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: kizmiaz on Sunday 12 October 08 22:53 BST (UK)
Nope, your not missing a thing. Its not exactly comprehensive in its coverage.

Not a great deal of help for me in Brighton either. Just one newspaper listed and that only has a couple of editions from a single year.

You pays yer money, and you takes yer choice...!!  ;D
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: celia on Wednesday 15 October 08 12:52 BST (UK)
I couldn't sleep last night so went on the Gale site,not looking for anything in particular.Because i found what i wanted in the Gazateer ages ago. I did look for the same ancestors but this time i found a fuller Version in the bankruptcy bits.Also when i clicked on each result ,i got file not found,so went back then clicked article (less to download).That worked,I never got round to looking for all my ancestors ,i was to busy reading the news ;D I just add names and see what comes up.When i couldn't see the screen anymore i downloaded some very interesting news bits to read off-line.Reading on-line newspapers is a lot easier than reading them on film :)

Celia
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: celia on Wednesday 15 October 08 17:16 BST (UK)
Oh well it was nice while it lasted ;D it looks like free access has gone now :( The password British is not acceptable

Celia
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Douglas P on Wednesday 15 October 08 17:40 BST (UK)
It does still work.

Don't forget what kizmiaz said,

Quote from: kizmiaz on Sunday 12 October 08 22:11 BST (UK)
Must all be lower case letters. 'British' will give an error, but 'british' should work fine.
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: celia on Wednesday 15 October 08 18:22 BST (UK)
Oh Right,i will try again later, but when i used it i just clicked enter Something :-\ and went straight to the search page.Today when i did that i got The page that you have to enter the password but it didn't work.It said I had to be registered member.

Celia
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Siamese Girl on Wednesday 15 October 08 18:41 BST (UK)
Phew - it's still letting me in with british ..... I was a bit worried for a moment!  ;D

Carole
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Windsor87 on Wednesday 15 October 08 21:36 BST (UK)
Sam, I love you for posting this link.

I have found some interesting things on my family.

I now know that my greatx2 grandfather installed the drainage system outside the Free Church Turriff Manse in 1888.
I have found what appears to be a great grand-uncle being tried for breaching the peace (he and a friend decided it would be a laugh to climb the church spire and ring the bells during devotions).
But most importantly, I have found aricles relating to the death of my greatx5 grandfather - John Bruce - who was struck by lightening in 1864.

Thanks again.

Windsor87
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Roobarb on Wednesday 15 October 08 21:48 BST (UK)
I have found some interesting stuff too, but only on a very uncommon name. Do you narrow your search to the papers in a particular area or are the names concerned unusual?
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: celia on Wednesday 15 October 08 21:52 BST (UK)
I did try later and got on the site,it must have been a Hiccup ;D This site is fab,and anyone with ancestors who died in accidents or worse should take advantage of the site.
Because there are always coroners reports they don't miss any details out.So be prepare. there are lots of pre 1837 Marriages as well with added info.I have found the best way of searching for a name,is just to enter it and the search brings that name up in every news paper.So if you are looking for John Jones don't do that ;D

Celia
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Windsor87 on Wednesday 15 October 08 22:28 BST (UK)
Quote from: Roobarb on Wednesday 15 October 08 21:48 BST (UK)
I have found some interesting stuff too, but only on a very uncommon name. Do you narrow your search to the papers in a particular area or are the names concerned unusual?

I used the advanced search.

'John Bruce' in one box, 'Pitsligo' in another.
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Maggie. on Wednesday 15 October 08 22:43 BST (UK)
Brilliant - I'm in using my Lancashire County Library card to access the Gale site with no problems whatsoever. 

I now have a different anti virus and firewall installed.  I had a version of Norton before and it interferred with the Gale site - I could get in and search but the only way I could view the articles was to disable Norton for 5 minutes and view them very quickly.  Risky and not at all satisfactory.  Nothing I did with Norton could resolve this problem but now all is well  :D.

Maggie
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: celia on Thursday 16 October 08 00:36 BST (UK)
Maggie
I know it off topic but if you ever go back to Norton,turn off (I cant remember the word ::)it was something like Phillering :-\
i had a problem getting into websites till i turned it off.

Celia
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Maggie. on Thursday 16 October 08 09:30 BST (UK)
Thanks for that bit of info, Celia. 
Actually the reason Norton has had to go was to bring my PC into line with  the other PCs in the house - we work from home, they are all networked and it made sense.  The fact that I can now read the newspaper articles easily is an added bonus  :D.  Anyway good to know of a way around it should Norton ever be reinstalled.

Maggie
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: murraymints on Saturday 03 January 09 18:31 GMT (UK)
Anyone know whats happening with this "free trial" thing?? I've not been able to get in with the password "british" since 30th December. Wonder if its all finished now??

Murraymints
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Sam Spade on Saturday 03 January 09 19:53 GMT (UK)
Yes it has unfortunatley finished for now :(
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: WexDor on Saturday 03 January 09 19:54 GMT (UK)
Quote from: murraymints on Saturday 03 January 09 18:31 GMT (UK)
Anyone know whats happening with this "free trial" thing?? I've not been able to get in with the password "british" since 30th December. Wonder if its all finished now??

Murraymints


No, I cannot get into the site using 'british' either... :(    Perhaps they have cottoned onto the fact that lots of folk were doing the same and therefore no money was being made..  :(
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Siamese Girl on Saturday 03 January 09 21:15 GMT (UK)
Quote from: WexDor on Saturday 03 January 09 19:54 GMT (UK)
Quote from: murraymints on Saturday 03 January 09 18:31 GMT (UK)
Anyone know whats happening with this "free trial" thing?? I've not been able to get in with the password "british" since 30th December. Wonder if its all finished now??

Murraymints


No, I cannot get into the site using 'british' either... :(    Perhaps they have cottoned onto the fact that lots of folk were doing the same and therefore no money was being made..  :(

But they never ask anyone for money - what is the point of them giving free trials if you can't take out a subscription  with them?

Carole
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: celia on Saturday 03 January 09 22:07 GMT (UK)
Quote
what is the point of them giving free trials if you can't take out a subscription  with them?

Carole

There are two on going topics on this subject,all or most of the libraries subscribe to the newspapers.As I mentioned on the other topic i found out if you belonged to the library.You can access gale on your computer via your library ticket and your library homepage just click on the Gale square and enter your bar code number .After a couple of tries myself yesterday ( I didnt press the keys hard enough ::).I got in today I didn't have a problem because i have been a library member forever :)so have borrowed many books. I was asked this morning if i had borrowed books recently don't know if that counts or not

Celia
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: celia on Saturday 03 January 09 22:20 GMT (UK)
Carole
do you use your library? if you do have a look on their home page and see if it subscibes.If you don't belong to one join one or you might miss out on other things like i have. As I said i never knew i was entitled to things being a member.I am going to see what else i can have ;) its great 8)

Celia

                   
The Free Trial has now closed
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: aghadowey on Saturday 03 January 09 22:29 GMT (UK)
My library system doesn't subscribe to this site or anything similar. Will miss the site as it was a way of getting information that I couldn't have found otherwise.
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: Siamese Girl on Saturday 03 January 09 23:23 GMT (UK)
Quote from: celia on Saturday 03 January 09 22:20 GMT (UK)
Carole
do you use your library? if you do have a look on their home page and see if it subscibes.If you don't belong to one join one or you might miss out on other things like i have. As I said i never knew i was entitled to things being a member.I am going to see what else i can have ;) its great 8)

Celia

                   
The Free Trial has now closed

My library gives me remote access to The Times, but I wouldn't be surprised if they stopped that. They used to provide  access to the OED and DNB but stopped that - even in a library. Thankfully I've got them back by being able to become a cyberspace member of Bedfordshire library. I have complained but didn't get much joy -  :(

Carole
Title: Re: Free access to 19th century British Library newspapers
Post by: andycand on Saturday 03 January 09 23:29 GMT (UK)
Quote
But they never ask anyone for money - what is the point of them giving free trials if you can't take out a subscription  with them?

I think Gale only deal with the likes of Libraries, Universities, Schools etc rather than individuals. (it might be part of their licensing agreement) Whichever organisation arranged the trial would be who Gale corresponded with.

Andy