Newspapers are a primary source providing a first rough draft of events. Since most newspapers are local in scope, there is good coverage of local issues. Newspapers also provide a good feel for the time period.
Most older newspapers do not include indexing. Usually you will need to browse through issues of a newspaper to discover its content. Newspapers on microfilm are kept in the Microforms & Newspaper Collections on the ground floor of Suzzallo.
Help: Analyzing Newspapers & Newspapers
When searching any fulltext database such as the New York Times you may find the following strategies useful to narrow your search down to more relevant items.
The newspapers listed here are primarily English language newspapers. Some are available online while others are in microfilm.
The UW Libraries has an extensive collection of historic newspapers on microfilm housed in the Microform and Newspaper Collections, located on the ground floor of Suzzallo Library. The best way to identify available newspapers on microfilm is to use the card catalog in the Microform and Newspaper Collections. Printers and scanners are available to make copies.
For additional historic newspapers especially in the vernacular, see the subject guides for Southeast Asian Studies, South Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, Korean Studies and Japan Studies. For contemporary newspaper coverage (roughly since 1990) see the News subject guide.
The databases listed here are primarily lead to English language magazine. Some are available indexes that just provide citation information for an article, others include the fulltext.
For additional databases to magazines especially in the vernacular, see the subject guides for Southeast Asian Studies, South Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, Korean Studies and Japan Studies.