How to Find Newspaper Articles: FAQ

Please see bar on left for list of questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What newspapers were published in [time, place]?

To determine what newspapers existed in a particular place and time, try the following resources:

Center for Research Libraries Newspaper Catalog
Use to identify newspapers by country and city in the CRL collection. Newspapers are available on microfilm or as digital scans of the microfilm. Microfilm can be borrowed through interlibrary loan. Note: the date limit searches the date of first publication, not the years available.
U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present
Use to identify what titles exist in a specific place and time. Can search by state, city, county, and language and ethnicity of the press.

What are the top ten newspapers? How many readers does this newspaper have?

Finding circulation figures can be tricky. Try the following resources:

Editor & Publisher International Data Book
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE PN4700 .E42

Publication Date: Annual. Library has current year only

Contains circulation numbers, contact information, and more for U.S. and Canadian daily, weekly, community, ethnic, and specialty newspapers.
World Almanac and Book of Facts
Call Number: LIBRARY SHELVING FACILITY and SAWYER REFERENCE AY64 .W6

Publication Date: Annual. Library has 1923-Present

Contains a wealth of information including a listing of top U.S. newspapers for the year.
Whitaker's Almanack
Call Number: LIBRARY SHELVING FACILITY and SAWYER REFERENCE AY754 .W5

Publication Date: Annual. Library has 1885-Present

Contains facts, figures, overviews, and statistics related to the UK and the world. The Media section of recent issues contains circulation information for the top newspapers in the UK.

How can I find the history of this newspaper?

For national newspapers, use the Browse search of the library catalog to look for the newspaper title as a subject:

For smaller newspapers, search for general histories of newspapers:

See also the reference sources below.

U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present
Provides information about the newspaper's publication history. Some entries include a brief historical overview.

History and Bibliography of American Newspapers, 1690-1820
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE PN4841.A1 B74 1947

Provides short descriptions of newspapers including the frequency of publication, date of establishment, and information about owners, publishers, and editors. Arranged by state and then city.
The Encyclopedia of the British Press, 1422-1992
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE PN5114 .E53 1992

Contains entries on current national and regional newspapers as well as many historical papers.
Newspapers: A Reference Guide
Call Number: SAWYER STACKS PN4855 .S39 1987

Examines the extensive literature on the history of newspapers in its regional and period dimensions, and biographical material on newspaper personalities, representing all levels and periods of journalists.

American Newspapers, 1800-1860
Provides a series of tutorials about the history of the American newspaper industry, the development of journalism, and the concept of news. Created by the University of Illinois History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library.

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Last Updated: May 23, 2025 12:20 PM
URL: https://libguides.williams.edu/newspaper-articles
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