Why findmypast?
- High quality search
- Our global search has been developed to give you total control of your results in one page, from a town to the whole world.
- Buy credits or subscribe
- We have got you covered with our flexible range of packages and credit offers.
- Learning resources
- Our help documents will guide you through your research, giving you insights and techniques
- Innovative tools to assist you
- Our research tools will help you to define your research
Press Release - 13 February 2013
Stories of torpedoes and cannibals - British Newspapers launch on findmypast.com.au
More than 6 million pages of fully-searchable articles spanning over 250 years
Huge variety of Australian and New Zealand news reported
13 Feb, 2013 – Findmypast.com.au, an international leader in online family history, today announced the addition of more than six million pages from British newspapers, including original images, to its extensive historical records collection. The British newspapers include local and regional titles from England, Scotland and Wales from 1700 to 1950 and encompass nearly 200 titles. The British newspapers are part of an exclusive partnership with the British Library to digitise 40 million pages over the next 10 years.
These fascinating newspapers contain a huge variety of stories about Australia and New Zealand. One article from The Star in 1891, explains the tragedy when four men died following the accidental discharge of a torpedo exploding in Sydney Harbour in 1891. This tragic case occurred when a fireworks show went horribly wrong on ‘show day’ in front of The Governor and Lady Jersey, a large party from Government House and the general public.
Another major story reported in numerous British newspapers in 1835 was the narrow escape of Mrs. Guard and her children from cannibals in New Zealand. The detailed stories tell of a harrowing escape when the family was captured, stripped and dragged to nearby huts. Having been interrupted, the party escape being eaten by natives and lived to tell their story.
“This British Newspaper collection is really significant for people researching their ancestors’ lives. They are also invaluable for those interested in how great events of the past were reported at the time,” said Vicki Dawson, General Manager of findmypast.com.au. “It’s fantastic to discover an image of an original article about an ancestor or to read a description of their life in an obituary. Now our subscribers have access to these valuable records from anywhere in a matter of seconds.”