Newspapers

Background

The earliest Gloucestershire newspaper was the Gloucester Journal, which was first published by Robert Raikes in 1722.  Over the years various other newspapers were started, mostly in the late 1800s or early 1900s.  Some of these are still published today.

Newspapers are an excellent source of information, but finding what you want can be difficult, especially if you do not know the date of an event.  Earlier newspapers mainly carried national and international news.  Birth, marriage and death announcements appeared in the Journal in 1835 and from the 1850s the news that was reported became more local.  This included local events, obituaries, marriage announcements, court proceedings, council meetings, shipping news and coroner’s reports.  Photographs did not appear in the newspapers until the 1900s.

What newspapers are there and where are they held?

For a full list of Gloucestershire newspapers and where you can find them, please see our comprehensive Newspaper Guide (Handlist) which you can download here (PDF, 412 KB)

• Gloucester Journal 1722-1992

Held at Gloucestershire Archives [1722-1730 are available on CD (please ask a member of staff to use this) and 1731-1992 are available on self-service microfilm].

• Gloucester Citizen 1876-2004

Held at Gloucestershire Archives on self-service microfilm.

The last 10 years are held at Gloucester Library.

• Gloucestershire Chronicle 1833-1928

Held at Gloucestershire Archives on self-service microfilm.

• Dursley Gazette 1878- 1950

Held at Gloucestershire Archives on self-service microfilm.

Please see the Newspapers Handlist for more information.

• Stroud Journal 1880-1884

Held at Gloucestershire Archives on self-service microfilm

More years and other Stroud based newspapers are held at Stroud Local and Family History Centre, Lansdown, Stroud, GL5 1BB.

• Forest of Dean Examiner 1873-1877

Held at Gloucestershire Archives on self-service microfilm.

Other Forest of Dean Newspapers are held at Cinderford Town Council, Rheola House, 4 Belle Vue Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire, GL14 2AB

• Cheltenham Chronicle & Gloucestershire Graphic 1901-1942

Held at Gloucestershire Archives (reference GAL/J4)

This is a pictorial supplement to the Cheltenham Chronicle which, along with other Cheltenham newspapers such as the Gloucestershire Echo, are held at Cheltenham Local and Family History Centre, Clarence Street, Cheltenham GL50 3JT.

• Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard

Held at Cirencester Local and Family History Centre, The Waterloo, Cirencester GL7 2PZ.

• Tewkesbury Register

Held at Tewkesbury Local and Family History Centre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury. GL20 5NX.

• Evesham Journal

Held at Stow Local and Family History Centre, St. Edwards Hall, The Square, Stow-on-the-Wold, GL54 1AF.

To enquire about library holdings please contact the library helpline by phone: 0845 230 5420 or email: libraryhelpline@gloucestershire.gov.uk

How to find the records

For more information on accessing newspapers held at Gloucestershire Libraries, please contact the individual library.  You may need to book a newspaper reader.

The newspapers held at Gloucestershire Archives need to be pre-ordered before your visit.  Please email us for more information on how to do this (archives@gloucestershire.gov.uk).

Copies of most local newspapers are held by the British Library in Colindale Avenue in London.

Newspapers Available Online

Subscription required:

• British Newspaper Archive

access to local and regional newspapers scanned by the British Library.

Indexes to newspapers at Gloucestershire Archives

The following on-site indexes may help you find specific items in the newspapers.  Please ask us about how to access them.

• Index to the births, marriages and deaths recorded in the Gloucester Journal, 1880-1914
• Index to birth, marriage and deaths 1839-1849.
• Index to newspaper cuttings and obituaries (1859 onwards).

This index is by no means complete but can be a good starting point for research.

Volunteers are helping us to input all of this information into the archives online catalogue. If you are interested in taking part please contact us.

• Done index to Gloucester City references in the Gloucester Journal 1722 – 1899

These indexes are gradually being put onto the internet by a volunteer and can be accessed at coaley.net

• Byegones index

The index is by subject and allows you to look for old school photographs, team photographs, etc. You can then look up the photographs in the paper.