The British Newspaper Archives holds a unique collection of newspapers. Along with local and national papers, you will find a number of speciality titles. Here are some of the titles we hold that focus on the themes of migration and shipping.
The Homeward Mail from India, China, and the East
First published on 1 January 1857 by Messrs. Smith, Elder, & Co. this title is a compendium of political, military, and economic news from the East. A predominant part of the paper is related to news about India, the jewel in the British imperial crown. In the early years, it was published every two weeks. Its increase in popularity meant that by 1876 it was published weekly.
The Homeland Mail provided people in Britain with political and military news from the East, as well as civil service appointments, shipping intelligence, and trading updates. Each edition published the names of passengers who arrived in England and the names of passengers travelling further afield. For example, in 1857, the paper published, ‘Captain Noaks, on board Earl of Hardwicke, arrived 17 December from Madras and Cape of Good Hope’ and listed the names of the ships’ passengers. You will also find public notices of births, marriages, and deaths. The Homeward Mail presents a British perspective on events in Asia at the height of the British Empire.
Issues: 2,897 Pages: 84,128 Available years: 1857-1913
Shipping Titles
The British Newspaper Archives holds four titles related to shipping news. Most prominent of these titles is Lloyd’s List. Among the oldest continuously published periodicals in the world, Lloyd’s List dates back to 1734. Up until 2013, Lloyd’s List (also known as The List) was printed on a daily basis. It was an evolving publication, however, and would soon become a source for reliable information for those concerned with the shipping industry.
Lloyd’s List
Issues: 18,049 Pages: 148,878 Available years: 1801-1884
Other shipping titles
Shipping titles are an excellent source for those with a passion for maritime history. You can keep track of the inbound and outbound ships on a regular basis. The Shipping newspapers also reported on events around the world and, most especially, they reported any maritime disasters.
Dublin Shipping and Mercantile Gazette
Issues: 46 Pages: 184 Available years: 1871
Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette
Issues: 14,915 Pages: 60,004 Available years: 1857-1909
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette
Issues: 12,766 Pages: 82,584 Available years: 1838-1873, 1875-1879
We will be exploring these titles along with how to find travel guides, passengers lists, and much more in our next webinar: Journeys Through Time: Discovering Travel & Migration in Old Newspapers on 20 July 2017. If you are unable to attend the live event, we will send you a link to a recording of the event if you are registered.
Learn more about shipping and migration in the newspapers with our webinar, Journeys Through Time.
