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Local newspapers

We hold an extensive collection of local newspapers.


Derbyshire Home Guard 1942 courtesy of the Derbyshire Times

By the end of the 19th century, 94 Derbyshire newspapers had been published and you can read most of them, on microfilm, in Derbyshire libraries.

Examples of what can be found in local newspapers:

  • crimes, trials and coroners’ reports
  • births, marriages, deaths
  • farm and property auctions, bankruptcies
  • election addresses and political meetings
  • advertisements
  • sporting fixtures and reports

Local newspapers on microfilm

Most newspapers are only available on microfilm. Before you make a special visit to consult a newspaper we strongly advise you to contact the library to make sure the dates you require are available and book a microfilm reader.

Most newspapers are not indexed so it will usually be necessary to have a firm date for an event or be prepared to search through the microfilmed newspapers.

Online newspapers

We provide free full-text access to a variety of local and national newspapers online.

The British Newspaper Archive is available to use in all Derbyshire libraries. The archive features:

  • Derbyshire Times 1854 to 1950
  • Derby Mercury 1727 to 1900
  • other local newspapers for the Derbyshire and surrounding areas
  • national newspapers and local historical newspapers across the UK