Old Newspapers

Old newspapers make a great source of information for family historians both in naming ancestors and providing rich details about local lifestyles.

Some National newspapers like the Times have online searchable databases which are available free via the Essex Library website.

Most local newspapers hold copies of old editions in store as do County Record Offices.

Essex is particularly luck in having an extensive network of local newspapers available in the 1800's

The best source for old newspapers is the British Newspaper Archive which is the largest online newspaper resource in the UK. There is a subscription to use this site although access is free to members of Find my Past. Click here to visit the British Newspaper Archive.

Start times for some of the Essex Local Newspapers are shown below.

Title	Town ( If not in title)	Date Established	Day of issue
Essex County Chronicle	Chelmsford	1764	Fri
Essex Herald	Chelmsford	1800	Mon & Sat
Essex Newsman	Chelmsford	1870	Sat
Maldon Express	Chelmsford	1872	Sat
Braintree & Bocking Advertiser		1859	Wed
Essex Mercury		1867	Fri
Colchester Chronicle		1876	Sat
Colchester Gazette		1877	Wed
Essex & Herts Observer	Bishops Stortford	1861	Sat
Essex Independant	Chelmsford	1862	Mon , Wed & Sat
Essex Standard	Colchester	1831	Sat
Essex Telegraph	Colchester	1858	Tue & Sat
Essex Times	Romford	1863	Wed, Fri & Sat
Essex Weekly News	Chelmsford	1862	Fri & Sat
Grays & Tilbury Gazette		1885	Sat
Halstead Gazette		1857	Thur
Halstead Times		1861	Sat
Harwich Free Press		1877	Sat
Harwich Halfpenny Newsman		1870	Sat
Leytonstone Express & Independant		1976	Sat
Peoples News	Harlow	1886	Fri
Southend Standard		1873	Fri
Southend on Sea Observer		1881	Sat
Stratford & South Essex Advertiser		1877	Fri
Stratford Courier		1869	Fri
Stratford Express		1864	Wed,Fri & Sat
Walthamstow & Leyton Guardian		1876	Sat
Walthamstow Express		1882	Fri
Waltham Abbey Telegraph		1863	Fri
Walton & Clacton Gazette		1878	Wed
Woodford Times		1867	Fri