The government is to digitise historic editions of the world's oldest English language daily newspaper still in circulation.
The News Letter, will mark its 288th anniversary this year, having first been published in September 1737.
The Northern Ireland Office is working in partnership with the British Library and FindMyPast to strengthen understanding of Northern Ireland’s cultural traditions around the world by expanding the online collection of the historic publication in the British Newspaper Archive.
The digitisation of these copies from three centuries of the historic Belfast title means that all known surviving copies of the News Letter will become accessible online for the first time.
Secretary of state Hilary Benn visited Belfast’s Linen Hall Library to view historic copies of the News Letter to announce the start of the project. Historic copies of the publication are currently available in physical and microfilm format in libraries across Northern Ireland, but the project will ensure a worldwide audience will be able to access the publication.
The historic editions cover key events such as the Irish Parliament winning legislative independence from Britain in 1782, the formation of the Orange Order in 1795, the 1798 rebellion of the United Irishmen, and the 1801 implementation of the Act of Union.
The British Library is providing originals of the News Letter in microfilm and newspaper format, which will then be digitised by the online platform Findmypast.
The archive is then made available online through the British Newspaper Archive and on Findmypast, where it can be viewed freely at the British Library sites in London and Yorkshire, as well as at any library or by any private individual around the world with a subscription.
Benn said: “The News Letter’s status as the longest-running continuously published English language daily newspaper in the world is an important part of Northern Ireland’s unique cultural heritage.
“As set out in the Safeguarding the Union command paper, the UK Government is committed to digitising these historical archives to promote the richness of Northern Ireland’s traditions around the world, including in nations with historic ties, such as the United States.
“This will also ensure that these precious historical records are preserved and accessible for generations to come.”
Sarah Bush, managing director of Findmypast and the British Newspaper Archive, said:“As the trusted partner of many iconic British and Irish institutions, we work to digitise millions of records from our nation’s history and make them accessible to the public online.
“Alongside the British Library, we’re delighted to make this unique and culturally important title available to be searched and viewed on Findmypast and the British Newspaper Archive, offering a fascinating window into centuries of Northern Ireland’s history as it happened."
