Newspapers and journals online
This page contains links to online editions of historical newspapers and periodicals that are of use to the British India family historian. Many of the books are from the Google Books website.
See also
- Newspapers & magazines reading list
- Directories
- Military periodicals online
- Subscription websites-online newspapers, journals and directories
- Newspapers
Alexander's East India and Colonial Magazine
Originally Alexander's East India Magazine or East India Magazine : and Colonial and Commercial Journal c 1830. Then called Alexander’s East India and Colonial Magazine, and subsequently East India Magazine and Colonial and Commercial Journal.
| Nov-Dec 1834 * | Volume IX Jan-June 1835 | Vol X July-Dec 1835 |
* Contents at the back of the book. Google Books
The following volumes were originally available on the Digital Library of India website, now available as mirror editions on Archive.org.
- Alexander's East India Magazine, and Colonial And Commercial Journal Volume 7, January-June 1834. Archive.org version.
- The East India And Colonial Magazine Vol 11, Vol 12 1836. Archive.org version. Note: Poor quality text/filming.
- Alexander's East India and Colonial Magazine Volume 13, January-June 1837. Archive.org version.
- East India And Colonial Magazine Vol. 14 (1837). Archive.org version.
Allen's Indian Mail
The FIBIS database contains transcriptions of birth, marriage and death notices from Allen's Indian Mail.
The title initially, in 1843 and 1844, was The Indian Mail. The title from 1845 was Allen's Indian Mail which was subsequently designated Volume 3. This publication continued until 6 May 1891, when it was incorporated into The Homeward Mail from India, China and the East, see below.
Where there are two volumes in a year, the index is generally at the front of the first volume, although there is no index for 1860, 1862, 1868 (missing volume), 1872 and 1882. The volume for January 1872 contains an index, but it is actually in respect of the year 1871.
Volumes are from the Google Books and Internet Archive (Archive.org) websites.
#Incorrectly contains "Index" for Volume 29, 1871 and is catalogued by Google Books as 1871, but is actually the volume for 1872.
## The text in this volume consists of Allen’s Indian Mail pages 1-482 to May 6, 1891, followed by The Homeward Mail (incorporating Allen’s Indian Mail) from May 11, 1891 from page 577.
### The Homeward Mail
Many of the above volumes are sourced from the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek/Bavarian State Library which has volumes available to 1891. Oxford University has digitised copies of Volumes 1-15, under the two titles, many of which appear above as Google Books files.
Also see Indian News and Chronicle of Eastern Affairs below.
Asiatic Annual Register
| Vol 1, 1799 | 1799 (2nd ed) | Vol 2, 1800 | Vol 3, 1801 | Vol 4, 1802 |
| Vol 5, 1803 | Vol 6, 1804 | Vol 7, 1805 | Vol 8, 1806 | 1806 (pt 2) |
| Vol 9, 1807 | Vol 10, 1808 | Vol 11, 1809 | Vol 12, 1810-11 |
Asiatic Journal
See the separate list of editions of the Asiatic Journal.
Asiatic Review
Published in England. The title varied over time: 1886-1890 Asiatic Quarterly Review; 1891-1912 Imperial and Asiatic Quarterly Review, and Oriental and Colonial Record. Beginning April 1895, the Proceedings of the East India Association are also included; 1913 Asiatic Quarterly Review; 1914-1952 Asiatic Review.
Archive.org
Many editions between 1886 and 1947 are available on Archive.org, mirror editions from Digital Library of India, which are not included in the above table.
Bangalore Spectator
Bangalore Spectator was a ‘Tri-weekly journal of News, Politics and Literature,’ appearing every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.[1] It is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, (introduced 16 July 2020), with initial date range 6 January 1877 to 31 December 1883 (1877, 1880, 1882-1883); added Jan 8, 2021, when range was extended to 1877-1888, 1891-1895; with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Bengal Catholic Herald
Available on Google Books, and Archive.org, mirror versions from the Digital Library of India.
The Bengal Catholic Expositor
| Volume 1 1839 | Volume 2 1840 | Volume 3 1840 |
The Bengal Catholic Expositor was replaced by the Catholic Herald (published in Calcutta) which in turn was replaced by the Bengal Catholic Herald
Bengal Catholic Herald
Further editions to 1864, and editions of earlier publications from 1839 are available on the subscription website "19th Century UK Periodicals".
Bengal Hurkaru
Bengal Hurkaru began as a weekly paper, moving to daily publication on April 29, 1819. Bengal Hurkaru: Issues from 1805, 1819, 1828-29, 1834 World Digital Library, a project of the U.S. Library of Congress.
Bengal, Past and Present, Journal of the Calcutta Historical Society
See separate page Bengal, Past and Present, Journal of the Calcutta Historical Society
Bombay Gazette
- Bombay Gazette editions on Archive.org, probably images from the collection of Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Granth Sanjeevani (see next section), however the source is not specifically stated. The date range (at 18 April 2022) is 1814 to 1914, with over 15,500 editions available.
- Bombay Gazette is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, added 14 April 2020. The date range when added was August 15, 1792 to December 31, 1868 being 1792, 1813-1814, 1816-1840, 1850-1851, 1854, 1858, 1861-1868 with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Bombay Newspapers
Digitised Bombay newspapers including an almost complete run of The Bombay Chronicle (1913 - 1958) are available on the pay website Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Granth Sanjeevani which requires either a personal or institutional subscription. Also included are some editions of The Pioneer, Allahabad. Editions of some of the Bombay newspapers are also available on the Internet Archive as follows, (see below for editions of The Pioneer 1919-1926).
- Some editions of The Bombay Chronicle from 1913 have been uploaded to the Internet Archive as the The Bombay Chronicle Archive.org, collection. Probably originate from Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Granth Sanjeevani, and similarly for The Bombay Gazette, see above, but the source is not specifically stated.
- The Bombay Guardian. The 1889 description was "A Christian Weekly Newspaper Circulating throughout India"
- The Bombay Guardian Editions from 7 March 1851 to 28 December 1889 (broken range). Archive.org, collection from Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Granth Sanjeevani. Includes "Domestic Occurrences" (Births, Marriages and Deaths) and "Shipping Intelligence", "Civil Appointments etc"
- Also see Indian Statesman, below, which was published in Bombay.
Bombay Quarterly Review
| Vol 1 1855 | Vol 2 1855 | Vol 3 1856 | Vol 4 1856 | Vol 5 1857 | Vol 6 1857 | Vol 7 1858 |
Calcutta Annual Register
| 1821 |
Calcutta Christian Observer
Printed at Baptist Mission Press, Circular Road, Calcutta. Volumes 1-5 include listings of births, marriages, deaths, however the later volumes seem to be limited to missionaries etc. Available to view or download on Google Books.
| Vol 1, June-Dec 1832 | Vol 2, Jan-Dec 1833 | Vol 3, Jan-Dec 1834 | Vol 4, Jan- Dec 1835 | Vol 5, Jan-Dec 1836 |
| Vol 6, Jan-Dec 1837 | Vol 7, Jan-Dec 1838 | Vol 8, Jan –Dec 1839 | Vol 1, New Series, Jan-Dec 1840 |
Calcutta Gazette
The Calcutta Gazette became one of the official newspapers of the Government of India and its provincial governments, where official information was ‘gazetted’. It was first published 4 March 1784 as a newspaper titled The Calcutta Gazette and Oriental Advertiser; from September 1791 to May 1815 titled The Calcutta Gazette; June 1815 to March 1832 titled The Government Gazette; from April 1832 resumed the title The Calcutta Gazette. Initially the Government was not connected with the management or editorial policy of the newspaper, but used the newspaper as a medium for official notices etc. From April 1832, the publication ceased to be a newspaper, and became an official Government publication.
- The Calcutta Gazette is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites (Introduced 13 July 2019). Initially it was published weekly. The date range at introduction is 4 March 1784 to 3 August 1815 with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date". On findmypast, the “County” is classified as West Bengal, India.
- Available at the the Internet Archive (Archive.org), from 1838, but most volumes are from the 1870s onwards. The editions, which are mainly mirror versions originating from the Digital Library of India, and DSpace at West Bengal State Central Library, are searchable. Some additional volumes may perhaps be available on the website DSpace at West Bengal State Central Library under the subject category "Gazetteers" as pdf files.
- Calcutta Gazette Archive.org versions (mainly) chronological order.
- Calcutta Gazette as a subset of the Collection "Gazettes of India" Archive.org. As a subset of a Collection, there is the advantage of a Text Search available for the subset as a whole. Note there are other Collections on Archive.org which also contain the Calcutta Gazette, such as the Public Library of India Collection.
- For published volumes of extracts from the Calcutta Gazette 1784-1832 see Calcutta - Historical books online.
- For editions published during the First World War, see separate list.
Calcutta Magazine and Monthly Register
Published by Samuel Smith & Co, Calcutta. Note that page numbers in some of volumes seem not to be consecutive, perhaps due to the way they have been bound or filmed.
| Vol 1-3, 1830 | Vol 4-6, 1830 | Vol 7-9, 1830 | Vol 10-12, '1830 |
| Vol 13-16, 1831 | Vol 17-20, 1831 | Vol 21-24, 1831 | n/a |
| Vol 25-28, 1832 | Vol 29-32, 1832 | Vol 33-36, 1832 | n/a |
Calcutta Monthly Journal
Published by Samuel Smith & Co, 1 Hare Street, Calcutta
The British Library hold an incomplete series from November 1794 to 1841.
- The Calcutta Monthly Journal editions from 1798 to 1837. National Library of India Digital Collection. Link to a pdf.
- The Calcutta Monthly Journal editions from 1801 to 1842. Archive.org. Most digital files appear to have very poor quality text.
Google Books.Third Series Vol 2, Jan-June 1836 July-Dec 1836 Third Series Vol 3, Jan-June 1837 Third Series Vol 4, Jan-June 1838 July-Dec 1838 Third Series Vol 5, Jan-June 1839
Calcutta Review
See the separate list of editions of the Calcutta Review.
Civil and Military Gazette [Lahore]
The Mofussilite newspaper was founded in 1845 and first published in Calcutta, then Meerut and Agra, until it was merged in 1877 with the Civil & Military Gazette.[2]
Civil & Military Gazette was a daily English-language newspaper founded in 1872. Published in Lahore, Simla and Karachi, it represented a merger between the Lahore Chronicle and the Indian Public Opinion and Panjab Times.[3]
Civil & Military Gazette (Pakistan) is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, added Oct 9, 2020, with more on Oct 18, 2020. The date range when added was January 1, 1884 to December 31, 1912 with available years 1884, 1891-1894, 1906, 1910-1912; 1876-1883 and 1885 added Nov 20, 2020; 1881-1883, 1885, 1887, 1895-1898, 1900-1905 and 1907-1909 added Nov 22, 2020; 1889-1890 added Dec 5, 2020; 1886 added Feb 17, 2021; more 1899 added Feb 24, 2021; 1888 and more 1899 added Mar 13, 2021; 1845, 1847-1876, 1913-1938, 1946-1951, 1954-1962 added March 28-April 4, 2022; 1939-1945 added Aug 12, 2022 (with 1845-1963 planned), with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Colonial and Asiatic Review
Published in London from 1852-53. Was previously known as Simmond's Colonial Magazine and Foreign Miscellany (1844-49) and The Colonial Magazine and East India Review (1849-52). Editions can be viewed by page on the National Library of Australia's periodical site.
Google Books and Hathi Trust have:
Colonial Magazine and Commercial Maritime Journal
Published in London between 1840-42, then under the title Fisher's Colonial Magazine and Commercial Maritime Journal from 1842-43. Editions can be viewed by page on the National Library of Australia's periodical site.
Google Books and Archive.org have:
Colonies and India
Published in London as The Colonies, possibly from 1872, and from 1877 as The Colonies and India. (Brief details.[4]) Available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, added 1 May 2020 with more additions 28 May 2020. The date range is currently 8 January 1875 to 30 May 1898, with intended issues from 1872, with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Englishman's Overland Mail
The Englishman's Overland Mail printed in Calcutta, "Published for Transmission to England" was first published on the 9 January 1864. The title changed in 1891 to The Englishman. Publication ceased 1928.[5]. Englishman's Weekly Journal and Englishman's Saturday Evening Journal also came from the same publisher, and it seems likely these titles were sold in Calcutta for local readers on the same dates as Englishman's Overland Mail, but may have had additional or different content.
(There are references to earlier titles The Englishman and military chronicle (Began with July 2, 1835 issue; ceased with Dec. 31, 1860 issue, published Calcutta according to Library of Congress catalogue entry, but possibly earlier?) and Englishman (Calcutta, India : 1861). Subsequently became Statesman (Calcutta, India : Daily), so appears to be a different publication.)
Englishman's Overland Mail is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, added 31 March 2020. The date range when added was January 9, 1864 to January 26, 1928 being 1864-1905, 1907-1922, 1926-1928; with 1906 added May 25, 2021; with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Friend of India and Statesman
Added 6 February 2020, Friend of India and Statesman, a weekly journal published at Serampore is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites. The date range when added was 1 January 1852 to 30 December 1876 (1852-1863, 1865-1876 (with future expansion to 1835-1883)) with details on a BNA page. Further added 21 Feb. 2020: 1864, 1877-1883. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date". Also see Pay websites, below.
Also available in the past on a subscription website, see Subscription websites-online newspapers, journals and directories - 19th Century UK Periodicals, but current availability unknown.
Gazette of India
- The Gazette of India was the official newspaper of the Government of India, where official information was ‘gazetted’.
Gazettes of India Collection on the Internet Archive (Archive.org)
- Gazettes of India Collection on the Internet Archive (Archive.org) Select publication and required years. Publications available prior to 1947 include Calcutta Gazette, Gazette of India, The Fort St. George Gazette (cataloged as Fort St. George), Travancore Government Gazette (catalogued as Travancore), Mysore Gazette, United Provinces Gazette. By selecting side filters in respect of publications and dates, it is possible to search the text of the selected editions.
Hicky's Bengal Gazette or The Original Calcutta General Advertiser
- 1781 Many weekly editions from 1781. Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg
Home News for India, China and the Colonies
Initially published from 7 Jan. 1847 to 26 Dec. 1865 as Home News: A Summary of European Intelligence for India, China and the Colonies. The title then changed to The Home News for India, China and the Colonies : A summary of European intelligence which was published until 30 Dec. 1898. "Despite being published in London, the Home News promised to convey ‘practical knowledge of the information most acceptable to the Indian public – especially as it regards the Civil and Military services.’"[6]
Home News for India... is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, (introduced 25 March 2020), with initial date range 7 Jan. 1847 to 26 Dec. 1865, and extended to 1866-1870 and 1889- 25 Dec. 1896 (added 23 April 2020) with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Homeward Mail from India, China and the East
The Homeward Mail from India, China, and the East was first published, in London, on 1 January 1857, initially every two weeks, and weekly from 1876. The British Library holds copies to 9 May 1914. (Subsequently merged into The Indiaman : A weekly journal devoted to the affairs of India, with BL holding 15 May 1914 to 2 Aug. 1917). From 11 May 1891 Homeward Mail incorporated Allen's Indian Mail.
Homeward Mail is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites. The date range is 1 January 1857 to 27 December 1913 with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Also available on the Internet Archive (Archive.org) for 1891
- Jan-June 1891 Note, the text in this volume consists of Allen’s Indian Mail pages 1-482 to May 6, 1891, followed by The Homeward Mail Volume 37 (incorporating Allen’s Indian Mail) from May 11, 1891 from page 577.
- Volume 37 July-Dec 1891
India
First published as, and catalogued at the British Library as India : a journal for the discussion of Indian affairs Vol 1, no 1 (Feb 1890)-v. 55, no 1202 (14 Jan. 1921). British Committee of the Indian National Congress. UIN: BLL01013929409 . Also titled India: A Record and Review of Indian Affairs. Published in London.
- India 1890-1920, broken range. Issues from 21 November 1919 have title India: The Organ of the Indian National Congress. English language monthly then weekly newspaper published in London. Proprietors, The "India" Newspaper Company, Limited, alternately called the India News Agency. digital.soas.ac.uk.
- India is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, introduced 1 December 2021, when it was stated to be a new release.[7] The date range is February 1, 1890 to January 14, 1921 with details on a BNA page. Note however, the BNA page says this database was first made available Jul 24, 2020, with additions Dec 1, 2021. This page also states that the newspaper was published in Calcutta, however it appears elsewhere on the website to have been (correctly) classified as published in London. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Indian Daily News
Indian Daily News, printed in Calcutta, full title The Overland Summary of The Indian Daily News, Bengal Hurkaru and India Gazette. It is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, (introduced 24 July 2020), with initial date range 6 July 1875 to 30 June 1880; added Jan 7, 2021 when the range was extended to 1875-1885, 1894-1897, 1899-1901, 1903-1906; 1898 added Mar 30, 2021; 1902 added Jul 17, 2021; with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Indian News and Chronicle of Eastern Affairs
The British Library has holdings for 11 June 1840-27 July 1858. It was then incorporated into Allen's Indian Mail.
| 1848 | 1849 | 1850 | 1851 | 1852 |
| 1854^ | 1855 | 1856 | 1857 | 1858 |
^ From the Bavarian State Library website
Indian Statesman
The available editions for the Indian Statesman for 1876 show that it was published six days a week (not Sundays) in Bombay, although it appears the ownership was in Calcutta. Refer Friend of India above. It absorbed The Englishman in 1927.[3]
Indian Statesman is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, added 9 October 2020. The date range when added was January 1, 1876 to August 18, 1876; added Jan 8, 2021, the date range was extended to 1873-1874, 1876, 1884-1885; added Jan 10, 2021, 1872 editions; added Mar 16, 2021, 1875 editions; with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Lloyd’s List
Lloyd’s List, a newspaper of shipping intelligence was published in London twice weekly from 1735. By mid-1837, the paper was being published daily (excluding Sundays). Lloyd’s List joined up with the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette in 1884.
Lloyd’s List is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals"/British Newspapers, with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites. The date range is 1801-1884, 1887-1890, 1892-1894, 1896-1901, 1903-1910, 1912-1913 (1913 added Oct 13, 2021); 1914 added Nov 10, 2021; with a (full?) range to 1914 planned, with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Also available in the Internet Archive (Archive.org)
- Lloyd's List for 1753 and 1755 1969 Reprint edition. Archive.org. Further volumes in this 1969 reprint series for the years 1741-1826 are available full view in the HathiTrust Digital Library
- Different but related publications are available in the Internet Archive (Archive.org) mainly with titles Lloyd’s Register of Shipping and Lloyd’s Register Rules and Regulations. There perhaps may be additional titles located by searching for individual titles.
London and China Express
The London and China Express ‘A Summary of European, British, Colonial and American News for the Far East,’ was published in London and aimed at those outside the Indian Empire. A 1900 edition states "… for China, Japan, Philippines, Cochin China, Siam, Borneo, Java, Straits Settlements and Ceylon".[8]
The title varied over time, being The China Express 1858–59, The London and China Express 1859–1921, The China Express and Telegraph 1922–31. Initially it was published twice a month, then by 1900 weekly.
The London and China Express is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals"/"British newspapers", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, added May 18, 2021. The date range when added was November 25, 1858 to July 2, 1931 with editions 1858-1861, 1863-1905, 1907-1919, 1923-1931; 1916-1917, 1921 added Nov 17, 2021; 1922 added Feb 23, 2022; with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date". On both Findmypast and BNA it is classified as a London newspaper.
London & China Herald
The London & China Herald was published in London "on departure of the mails for China and Japan". It featured ‘Quotations for British Manufacturers to China and Japan,’ as well as looking at an array of ‘Commercial Intelligence,’ reporting the latest on the tea, silk, cotton and money markets. The London & China Herald also contained details of those ‘Vessels Loading for China and Japan’, a shipping index etc.[9]
The London & China Herald is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals"/"British newspapers", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, added Nov 9, 2021. The date range when added was October 10, 1867 to June 17, 1870 with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date". On both Findmypast and BNA it is classified as a London newspaper.
London and China Telegraph
The London and China Telegraph. Published in London. Covers China, Hong Kong, Japan, Straits Settlements (Singapore, Penang), Batavia and perhaps a wider area. One weekly issue (13 Jan. 1860) included notices for two deaths in India, and one in Alexandria, perhaps an indication for the rest of the series. There are two series of digitisations, both on Google Books, one from the Bavarian State Library, the other from Cornell University, the latter labelled A. Links for both series are provided, in case the content or digitisation quality varies. From February 2022, this title is also available on the pay websites Findmypast and British Newspaper Archive.[10]
| 1860 | 1861 | 1863 | 1864 | 1865 |
| 1866 | 1867 | 1868 | 1869 | 1870 A |
| 1871 | 1872 | 1873 | 1874: Jan-June | 1875 to Dec. |
In addition, there is a collection of individual issues of London and China Telegraph on Archive.org which includes editions for 1877.
Added Feb 8-9, 2022, The London and China Telegraph is also available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals"/"British newspapers", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites. The date range when added was November 30, 1858 to December 24, 1921 with editions 1858-1891, 1901-1921 (with a range 1858-1921 planned), with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date". On both Findmypast and BNA it is classified as a London newspaper.
Madras Courier
- Multiple editions of the Madras Courier are available on the Tamil Digital Library, category Periodicals. Publications for the years 1793 (Vol.9), 1795 (Vol.11), 1797 (Vol.13), 1803 (Vol.19), 1805-1814, (Vol.21-30) have been noted, as set out in this website page which however does not list the editions in strict chronological order. (Otherwise, in case the previous link becomes invalid, previously the procedure was from the Search, first click on E (for English) (however currently 2021/05/04 most of the website still remains in Tamil) at the top of the webpage, click on Periodicals, then use the search term Madras Courier. You should be presented with a list of thumbnail book covers. Hover your mouse to see the titles. Alternatively use the Advanced Search, 'Select Category' choose Periodicals and use the search term Madras Courier as the title. A box with Tamil text may appear, click on it and select English. A list of search results will be presented, currently 407 (as at 2020/04/03). If you leave the number of items per search result page as 10, you are then able to click on the tab 'Select Volume' to view the editions included - (if you select more results per page, you are still only presented with a list of 10 editions)).
- Searching by keywords does not appear to be successful. For a name search try a Google search: Name of interest site:tamildigitallibrary.in. Note however the underlying text may be poor quality, with small font size, so OCR searching may also be of poor quality. The online Tamil Virtual Library viewer has the facility to use your full computer screen. As an example, marriage, birth and death notices were noted on the 2nd page of Volume XXV (25) Number 1249 September 13 1809.
- Note the book reader seems more difficult to use than previously (as at 2021/05/04) and it was difficult to increase the text size sufficiently, even using the full screen option. It may be easier to download, however most of the website remains in Tamil, even when the English option is selected.
- Madras Courier January 12 1819 Archive.org. It is recommended that the newspaper be read using the single page option. Some of the pages are torn and incomplete.
- Nearly 4,000 entries transcribed from the Madras Courier have been uploaded to the FIBIS database website, see FIBIS database Madrid Courier 1792-1819 (broken range, 16 datasets).
- Added 30 January 2020, Madras Courier is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites. The date range is May 12, 1790 to December 29, 1818, with issues 1790-1795, 1798, 1800-1813, 1815-1816, 1818, with details on a BNA page. 1817 further added 21 February 2020. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date". Also see Pay websites, below.
[Madras] Government Gazette
Published in Madras, Government Gazette is catalogued by Findmypast/BNA as Government Gazette (India). Details of this publication [11], first published 15 October 1801.
It is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals"/British Newspapers, (classified 'County' Tamil Nadu) with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, (introduced Feb 10, 2021) with initial date range October 15, 1801 to December 31, 1832 with issues 1801-1802, 1804-1832, with details on a BNA page. For BNA the 'Region' is classified Southern, India and the "County' Tamil Nadu. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Madras Weekly Mail
The Madras Weekly Mail was the weekly offshoot of India’s first evening paper The Madras Mail. The Madras Mail became simply the The Mail in 1928, before eventually ceasing publication in 1981.[12]
It is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, (introduced Dec. 22, 2020), with initial date range January 8, 1876 to December 31, 1908, with 1876–1914 planned, with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
- Naval and Military Gazette and East India and Colonial Chronicle. The earlier title of the publication following.
- 1839: Jan.-Dec. Note, title page says 1838, but content is for 1839; 1844: Jan.-July Very poor quality. Archive.org; 6 issues (weekly), 15 Jan-19 Feb 1853 wellcomelibrary.org
- Naval & Military Gazette and Weekly Chronicle of the United Service is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites. The date range is Saturday 09 February 1833 to Wednesday 17 February 1886, with issues 1833-1846, 1860-1886, with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Oriental Magazine, and Calcutta Review
| Volume 1, Jan-June 1823 | Volume 2, July-December 1823 |
Oriental Herald and Colonial Review
Parbury's Oriental Herald and Colonial Intelligencer
Published by Parbury & Co. London (Later, from 1839, became Madden & Co).
| Vol 2, July-Dec 1838 | Vol 3, Jan-June 1839 | Vol 4, July-Dec 1839 |
Pioneer Mail and Indian Weekly News
Printed weekly at Allahabad. Each weekly edition is separately numbered. All Archive.org unless otherwise stated.
- No. 27, Volume 47. Friday July 2, 1920 to Friday December 31, 1920 Google Books
- Contains a BMD section each week, for example July 9, 1920, page 45
- Also available Archive.org mirror version
- Volume 48 1921 Jan-June, Volume 48 1921 July-Dec
- Volume 49 1922 July-Dec
- Volume 50 1923 Jan-June,
- Volume 52 1925 Jan-June, Volume 52 1925 July-Dec
- Volume 53 1926 Jan-June, Volume 53 1926 July-Dec.
Also available elsewhere, on subscription or pay websites, see Subscription websites-online newspapers, journals and directories - South Asian Newspapers, 1864-1922 and Bombay Newspapers, above.
Quarterly Oriental Magazine, Review and Register
Published by Thacker & Co, Calcutta.
| Mar/Jun 1824 | |
| Jan/Jun 1825 | Jul/Dec 1825 |
| Jan/Jun 1826 | Jul/Dec 1826 |
| Jan/Jun 1827 | Jul/Dec 1827 |
Report on native papers
These were official reports of the content of native or vernacular newspapers, so provide an overview of the most discussed issues of the day. The following are available on South Asia Open Archives (SAOA) part of the library-contributed Open Access collections on JSTOR.org
- Report on native papers published in the Bombay presidency and Berar, for the week ending... 1874-1880.
- Report on native papers for the week ending ... Calcutta, Bengal 1876-1916.
- Selections from the Vernacular Newspapers Published in the Panjab, North-Western Provinces, Oudh, Central Provinces and Berar 1881-1901.
- Selections from the native newspapers published in the United Provinces of Agra & Oudh 1903-1912.
The Times of India
- The Times of India is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, (added 21 January 2020). The date range is 18 May 1861 to 31 December 1888, with available years 1861-1865, 1867-1888, with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date". Also see Pay websites, below.
- A more extensive collection of The Times of India is available on the database Proquest Historical Newspapers, Times of India option. See Websites Accessible by participating Library Cardholders, below, and for further details refer Subscription websites-online newspapers, journals and directories.
Thacker's Overland News for India and the Colonies
Thacker's Overland News for India and the Colonies was published weekly in London from the 1850s onward, for British people living in India.[13]
Thacker's Overland News … is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, (introduced 18 August 2021) with initial date range 3 Jan. 1860 to 26 Dec. 1863; 1858 added 30 Aug. 2021; with 1857-63 planned, with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Voice of India
The Voice of India was established in 1883 in Bombay and contained news from across the country of India, featuring a collection of snippets from other Indian newspapers, as well as offering a ‘Native Opinion’ section. The Voice of India was later incorporated with the Indian Spectator. The title changed over time 1883–1902 The Voice of India; 1902–04 The Voice of India, Indian Spectator & Champion; 1904–13 The Indian Spectator, Voice of India & Champion.[12]
It is available on Findmypast, category "Newspapers & periodicals", with the same contents also available on the British Newspaper Archive, both pay websites, (introduced 31 Dec. 2020), with initial date range January 1, 1885 to December 27, 1913 (1885-1889, 1902-1913); 1901 added Feb 9, 2021; with 1883-1913 planned, with details on a BNA page. It is possible to browse individual editions on BNA, in addition to searching. To browse the Findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date".
Pay websites
- Findmypast - British Newspapers and Irish Newspapers are available to individuals with a Pro subscription (previously called World subscription, or the top subscription) but not via library and community subscriptions. (Previously British newspapers were also available with the British subscription, but this no longer applies for new subscriptions.) The newspapers are from the collection of the British Library and are the same newspapers as are included in the British Newspaper Archive[14] see next item. The date ranges for the newspapers are directly available on the BNA. To browse the findmypast editions, use the filters under "Narrow your search results" (left hand side of the webpage) "By Newspaper" and "By Date". The Search may be better on the BNA, (BNA says it is "more sophisticated"[14]) and some people are known to search on the BNA, and then access the images on findmypast.
- Newspapers in the category British Newspapers include (see individual items above)
- Bangalore Spectator
- Bombay Gazette
- Calcutta Gazette
- Civil & Military Gazette (Pakistan)
- Colonies and India
- Englishman's Overland Mail
- Friend of India and Statesman
- Home News for India, China and the Colonies
- Homeward Mail from India, China and the East
- India
- Indian Daily News
- Indian Statesman
- Lloyd's List
- London and China Express
- London & China Herald
- London and China Telegraph
- Madras Courier
- [Madras] Government Gazette. Catalogued as Government Gazette (India) by Findmypast/BNA
- Madras Weekly Mail
- Naval & Military Gazette and Weekly Chronicle of the United Service
- The Times of India
- Thacker's Overland News for India and the Colonies
- Voice of India
- The India newspapers above may be located by filtering "By County": Karnataka, India; Lahore, Pakistan; Maharashtra, India; Tamil Nadu, India; West Bengal, India. However note Indian Statesman, although published in Bombay , has been classified as part of West Bengal.
- In addition, local British newspapers may include birth/marriage/death notices about British residents in overseas countries throughout the Britsh Empire, such as India, and elsewhere.
- British Newspaper Archive, a Findmypast company, is a pay site, with newspapers from the collection of the British Library. The majority of the newspapers were published 1830-1950 and now includes some Irish, Canadian, Jamaican etc newspapers, which are listed under individual newspaper titles, or under Regions. However the website does include some published pre 1800 and some post 1950, with details on this list of publications. See Findmypast above, for the India related newspapers. BNA classifies those published in India and Pakistan into four Regions which can be selected for Searching: "Eastern, India" (Calcutta Gazette, Englishman's Overland Mail, Friend of India and Statesman, Indian Daily News); "Southern, India" (Bangalore Spectator, Madras Courier, [Madras] Government Gazette (India), Madras Weekly Mail); "Western, India" (Bombay Gazette, Times of India, Voice of India ); "Punjab, Pakistan" (Civil & Military Gazette). However note Indian Statesman, although published in Bombay , has been classified as part of "Eastern, India".
- In addition, local British newspapers may include birth/marriage/death notices about British residents in overseas countries throughout the Britsh Empire, such as India, and elsewhere.
- This website may also be accessed (free) from the British Library Reading Rooms.
- NewspaperArchive is an American pay website which includes British newspapers and other publications. British newspapers may include information about people and events in India. A researcher found the newspaper Week's News contained B,M,D announcements for India. The following volumes with a (probable) India connection were noted, all published in Britain:
- Allen’s Indian Mail to 1870, but excluding January to April 9th 1868. See Allen's Indian Mail, above for copies available elsewhere online.
- Asiatick Miscellany 1785-1786
- British And Colonial Weekly Register 1824
- British Foreign And Colonial Journal 1823-1824
- British And Indian Observer 1889-1890
- British Indian Advocate 1841-1842
- Calcutta Chronicle 1788
- Colonies And India 1877-1898
- India Gazette 1790
- FamilySearch currently (2024/09) provides free access to NewspaperArchive at FamilySearch Centres at select locations only (which are believed to be large Centres in the USA).[15] Although generally available at some periods in the past at FSCs, this newspaper database mostly seems to be unavailable. Check the FamilySearch Wiki article below for availability if you wish to use this database at a FamilySearch Centre and check with the FSC you will be attending.
- Newspapers.com is an Ancestry owned pay website with the majority of the newspapers published in the USA. There are a small number of newspapers from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Colonies and India 1890–1898, published in London, appeared to be the only publication relating to India.
- Irish Newspaper Archives is a pay site also available as a subscription website through subscribing libraries. Currently (2020/01) it contains approximately 70 titles, mainly from the 1900s, but with some earlier publications dating back to the 1700s. This website may also be accessed (free) from the British Library Reading Rooms.
- The Times Digital Archive, refer next section is also available to those with a current Times subscription
Other countries and regions
- See the Fibiwiki pages Ceylon; China; Hong Kong; Singapore; West Indies.
- Also see London and China Express and London and China Telegraph above.
Websites Accessible by participating Library Cardholders
There are seven sites which contain online newspapers, journals, directories etc, published in India. These websites, and additional websites, may also contain newspapers etc published in Britain which contain references to people and events in India.
Apart from minor exceptions, the access is restricted to Library Card holders of participating libraries, including the following National Libraries (noting there is generally a residential requirement): Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia (click on Explore the eResources portal), State Library of NSW, and many University Libraries. Most of the websites may also be accessed (free) from the British Library Reading Rooms.
The sites are
- Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO)
- Eighteenth Century Journals, Newspapers and Periodicals c 1685-1815
- 19th Century UK Periodicals
- The Making of the Modern World
- The Goldsmiths’-Kress Library of Economic Literature 1450-1850
- Proquest Historical Newspapers, Times of India option
- South Asian Newspapers, 1864-1922
- 17th and 18th Century Burney Collection Newspapers
Other British publications
- The Times Digital Archive 1785-1985
- 19th Century British Library Newspapers
- Illustrated London News Historical Archive 1842-2003
- House of Commons Parliamentary Papers 1801-2008
- Irish Newspaper Archives
For details about the publications published in India included in these seven sites, and more details about the sites containing British publications, refer Subscription websites-online newspapers, journals and directories
References
- ↑ "Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week" July 20, 2020 The British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down)
- ↑ "Hot Off The Press – Updated Titles This Week" March 28, 2022. "Hot Off The Press – Updated Titles This Week" April 4, 2022. The British Newspaper Archive Blog
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week" October 12, 2020. The British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down)
- ↑ "Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week" 1 June 2020. The British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down)
- ↑ Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week April 6, 2020 The British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down)
- ↑ "Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week" March 30, 2020. British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down)
- ↑ "Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week" December 6, 2021. British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down).
- ↑ "Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week" May 24, 2021. British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down).
- ↑ "Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week" November 15, 2021. The British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down)
- ↑ "Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week" February 14, 2022. The British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down).
- ↑ "Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week" February 15, 2021. The British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down).
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week" January 4, 2021. The British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down)
- ↑ "Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week" August 23, 2021. British Newspaper Archive Blog (Scroll down).
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Webinar Q&A British Newspaper Archive blog May 28, 2017.
- ↑ FamilySearch Center Portal FamilySearch Wiki.