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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

British Newspaper Records in findmypast.com

OK, so today there have been half a dozen blog posts based on a press release from findmypast.com. I have included a copy of the press release below, if you haven't already seen it. Why is this significant? That would be the first question I would ask. Well, the answer is quite simple. Much of the genealogical information of the world since newspapers began is wrapped up in those newspapers. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of searching local newspapers for information about your family. In a lot of small towns, nearly everyone was mentioned or featured in a newspaper article at some time or another. But genealogists, by and large, ignore newspapers because they are hard to research. Historically, you had to go to where there were still actual copies of the newspaper or read the newspaper on microfilm. This was very slow and tedious.

This is why adding millions of pages of newspaper to a searchable database, even if it is a commercial database that has a subscription price, is such a big deal. The cost of subscribing is small compared to the cost of renting microfilm and the the time spent searching the newspapers.

Here is the article:

250 Years of British Newspapers Make Headlines on findmypast.com

Collection includes more than 6 million pages with original images

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 6, 2013)Findmypast.com, an international leader in online family history, today announced the addition of more than 6 million pages from British newspapers, including original images, to its extensive historical records collection. The British newspapers include local and regional titles from England, Scotland and Wales from 1700 to 1950, and encompass nearly 200 titles. The British newspapers are part of an exclusive partnership with the British Library to digitize 50 million pages over the next 10 years.

With this new addition, findmypast.com World Subscribers will have access to all of the records and articles they need to research their family tree in one website. Throughout the next 10 years, approximately 8,000 new pages will be digitized every day and every new addition will be included in existing subscriptions.

“This incredible collection of British newspapers breathes life into the past, from local happenings to events of international importance. Each page provides a unique look into the lives of our ancestors – how they lived, worked and died – through notices of vital events and daily activities,” said D. Joshua Taylor, lead genealogist for findmypast.com. “The collection is truly unique with its extensive number of local and regional newspapers each containing intricate details from the lives of our millions of British ancestors.”

The British have always had a particularly voracious appetite for newspapers, especially during the 19th century when nearly every town in the country had its own newspaper. From the man who decided to walk around the world in an iron mask to the coronation of Queen Victoria, British newspapers have captured every aspect of people’s lives.

Findmypast.com’s expertise at digitizing historical records and uniting communities provides the tools to help people connect with their past, present.

To learn more about findmypast.com or to get started on your own family history search:
·         Like findmypast on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/findmypastus
·         Follow findmypast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/findmypastus
·         Follow findmypast on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/findmypastus/

Findmypast.com, owned by brightsolid, provides the most complete and relevant records in online family history and genealogy research. Findmypast members worldwide share our passion, and rely on our expertise to help them discover the roots to their family tree. Our accurate search tools and data featuring unique and core U.S., English, Welsh, Scottish, Irish, Australian and New Zealand records dating back as far as the 7th century, help both professional and budding genealogists find their past. Findmypast.com works closely with the genealogy community, including local libraries, archives, societies, and other organizations from around the world, to preserve, digitize and provide access to historical records and genealogical publications. To learn more, visit www.findmypast.com, the findmypast.com blog, Facebook or Twitter.

About brightsolid
Findmypast.com is owned by brightsolid online publishing, a British-owned world leader in online genealogy, with over 45 years’ experience in family history and a record of online innovation in the field of family history nearly two decades long. With nearly 18 million registered users across its family of online genealogy brands, brightsolid hosts more than a billion genealogical records from across the globe.

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