Free comprehensive search for old British news articles

This is Old British News. We accurately research and identify press articles published in the British newspapers between 1750 and 1950. Small stories, big stories, some hidden away since the event all those years ago. Some revealing, a few shocking but all fascinating for the family historian or researcher. Old British News is not a flashy costly commercial website. It isn’t a business – it’s a hobby. We concentrate on searching the news and getting an accurate result – not trying to sell you coffee mugs, picture frames and tea-towels!

Old British News was invented by history enthusiast Ian Waugh who now operates it with co-researcher, Robert Venour. Between us we search for your news stories voluntarily because we believe history should be open and available to everybody. It’s our pastime and passion. We do the research because we really enjoy it – simple as that. And we like to think we provide an accurate yet personal ‘human’ touch as well (more here).

If it happened it was in the news

Most people sometime in their life are mentioned in the press – maybe it’s a few words in a marriage, a school prize, a workhouse report or a sports event. Perhaps they have been a victim in crime. Maybe it’s a petty offence or something more serious. Every item catching that event. An Old British News free confidential search can reveal a lot about your family or a specific person. The result can greatly enhance your research by painting a more accurate picture of the person and the family you are investigating.

Sometimes there was actually some good news – and even the pleasant events were reported. That’s what I love about research, it never fails to bring up a few little surprises and patterns. Sometimes it reveals potential, ambition and aspirations. Other times it can paint the genuine picture of how our ancestors really lived.

Who are we?
Find out more about Old British News and the two historic researchers here.

Important: In order to participate in services available from Old British News apart from an email account, you need a PDF reader. We recommend the free Adobe PDF reader available to download here (other readers are available).