During 2010, a huge project began to digitise 650 million newspaper articles on to 40 million web pages currently held by the British Library.
Users of private home computers wishing to access the British Library newspaper archive pay an annual fee of either £6.95 for 48 hour access; £29.95 for 30 days; or a yearly subscription of £79.95.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is proud to announce that this rich and hugely exciting on-line resource, packed with the nation’s published memory and historical detail over the last 300 years, is now free to access at the East Riding Archives in the Treasure House, Beverley, and at any East Riding Library.
With this additional resource, anyone can access and search through millions of digital newspaper articles from local and regional papers dating back to 1700.
Councillor Richard Burton, portfolio holder for civic wellbeing and culture, said:
“Residents will find this digital aid extraordinary on both a personal and historical level, having the ability to search for their ancestors through the pages of the newspapers, which will take them back to momentous occasions, social deprivation and church meetings from hundreds of years ago.”
“The archive also features hundreds of letters from soldiers in varying war zones, which were published in local papers as a way of bringing attention to their needs and informing people about life at war.”
People can drop in to the East Riding Archives, or any East Riding Library, to make use of this free service.”
