Explore real British history – completely free.

Old British News is a volunteer-run digital archive sharing genuine British newspaper articles from 1750 to 1950. Every page is freely available – no charges, adverts or subscriptions – so you can read the news exactly as it appeared at the time. Whether you’re tracing a family line, investigating a local event, or simply exploring the past, the archive exists to make original history accessible to everyone.

Transported Convicts and Their Stories

One of the most revealing uses of the archive is uncovering the journeys of transported convicts. Contemporary newspapers recorded their trials, sentences and voyages in remarkable detail – often far beyond what survives in official documents. Within these pages are the real voices of the 18th and 19th centuries: courtroom dialogue, public reaction and the language of justice itself.

For many descendants now living in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and other former colonies, these reports provide the first true insight into how and why an ancestor was sent overseas. They bring names and dates to life, turning a line on a family tree into a story with context, emotion and consequence.

Requesting Historical Articles

I personally supply high-quality PDF scans of original newspaper articles to anyone, anywhere in the world. There is no charge for this service. Each article is located, restored and sent directly to you by email.

To request an article, simply complete the secure form below. Include whatever details you know – name, date, place, or subject – and I’ll search the archive for you.

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Newspapers are far more than ink and paper. They are living records of how people actually lived — their daily routines, fears, humour and hopes. They preserve stories that never entered official archives and give us a window into the everyday world of our ancestors.

1. Domestic Life and Everyday Events

• Shopping habits, schools, health advice — a glimpse of daily life across three centuries.
• Social struggles and triumphs — families coping with poverty, war, progress and reform.

2. Sporting Events

• Local pride and participation — cricket, football, athletics and more brought towns together.
• Names in match reports — your ancestors may appear as players, coaches or spectators.

3. Weather and Environment

• Floods, blizzards, droughts — events that shaped livelihoods and migration.
• Context for family stories — understanding the conditions surrounding births, deaths and travel.

4. Social and Cultural Life

• Theatre, concerts, fairs and fetes — how people sought joy and community.
• Milestones and announcements — marriages, retirements, school prizes, and civic service.

5. Political and Economic News

• How national events touched local lives — elections, strikes, wars and royal visits.
• Work and wages — learn how your ancestors earned their living and weathered economic change.

6. Legal and Crime Reports

• Trials and verdicts — witness statements, sentencing and public reaction.
• Accidents and disasters — fires, shipwrecks, railway incidents and factory tragedies.

Together these fragments form a portrait of real life — the detail that birth, marriage and death records cannot show. If you are building a family tree or researching a local event, Old British News is your free key to the past.