Research Guides: Historical U.S. Newspapers: Bibliographies and Indexes

Newspaper Bibliographies

Bibliographies are essentially lists of works, in this case newspapers. Many of the bibliographies of historical newspapers are arranged by state and inform the reader not only which newspapers were published where and when but also where copies of those newspapers may be located in a library or archives. Some of the bibliographies included in this list were published many years ago, and thus have outdated holdings information; nevertheless they can serve as a source of helpful leads for those involved in serious historical research.

American newspapers, 1821-1936; a Union List of Files Available in the United States and Canada by Edited by Winifred Gregory
Call Number: McKeldin Reference Z6945 .A53
Publication Date: 1937
Gregory's bibliography is a thorough list of newspapers published throughout the United States from 1821 to 1936. The bibliography is arranged by state and includes holdings information to assist users in finding a copy of the desired newspaper. Due to its age, this bibliography should be treated as a reference only and not an authoritative list insofar as holdings information is concerned.
Chronological Tables of American Newspapers, 1690-1820 by Edward C. Latham
Call Number: McKeldin Reference Z6951 .L3
Publication Date: 1972-01-01
Latham provides a state-by-state, chronological list of newspapers published across the United States.
History and Bibliography of American Newspapers, 1690-1820 by Clarence S. Brigham
Call Number: McKeldin Reference Z6951 .B86 1962
Publication Date: 1962
This annotated bibliography covers newspapers from the start of the American newspaper industry in 1690. Includes thorough notes on history, publication information, and holdings for the newspapers covered.
Newspapers in Microform : United States, 1948-1983 by Compiled and edited by the Catalog Management and Publication Division, Library of Congress
Call Number: McKeldin Reference: Z6945 .N756 1984
Publication Date: 1984
A union list of newspapers available in microfrom at libraries across the country. Due to its age, the list of holdings is not up to date.
Newspapers: A Reference Guide by Richard A. Schwarzlose
Call Number: McKeldin Stacks: PN4855 .S348 1987
Publication Date: 1987-11-13
This indispensable volume serves as a research guide for finding and learning about historical US newspapers. Included are bibliographies of useful resources, including a bibliography of newspaper bibliographies.
The People's Voice: an Annotated Bibliography of American Presidential Campaign Newspapers, 1828-1984 by William Miles
Call Number: McKeldin Stacks JK524 .M54 1987
Publication Date: 1987-09-22
Since 1828, every four years has seen the re-emergence of newspapers published on behalf of particular presidential candidates and aspirants. Despite the importance and longevity of the medium, however, it has largely been overlooked as an object of serious study. This volume is the only systematic treatment of the subject yet published. It presents both an historical overview and the first compilation of bibliographic data on the publications that comprise this genre.
United States Newspaper Program national union list [microform].
Call Number: McKeldin Reference Z6945 .U5 1993
Publication Date: 1993
Published by the US Newspaper Program and OCLC, this resource on microfilm lists newspaper holdings nationwide as of 1993.

Newspaper Indexes

Indexes provide information about the contents of newspapers and are extremely useful for finding specific newspaper issues that cover a given topic or event. The print indexes included here are the precursors of the modern, searchable database such as those provided by ProQuest's Historical Newspapers series. The majority of print indexes at the University of Maryland's McKeldin Library are located on the first floor in the Reference Section. Most of the indexes are no longer actively accessioned and provide coverage of only a small collection of years. However, the indexes for several major newspapers, such as the Washington Post and New York Times are still available up to the present day. A sample of indices is listed here:

Newspaper index : The New Orleans Times-Picayune
Call Number: McKeldin Reference: AI21 .T7
Publication Date: 1972-1979
This index of the famous New Orleans newspaper typifies many indexes in the collection in that it is only available for a handful of years.
The New York Times index.
Call Number: McKeldin Reference: AI21 .N44
Covering 1851 to the present, this index provides thorough access to the content of the New York Times.
The Times index.
Call Number: McKeldin Reference: AI21 .T462
An index to The Times of London.
The Washington Post index
Call Number: McKeldin Reference: AI21 .W32

Books About Newspaper Indexes

The titles listed here are not indexes themselves, but rather guides about newspaper indexes.

Lathrop report on newspaper indexes. An illustrated guide to published and unpublished newspaper indexes in the United States & Canada. by Norman M. Lathrop and Mary Lou Lathrop.
Call Number: McKeldin Reference: AI3 .L38
Publication Date: 1979
This work serves two main purposes. First, it provides a list of libraries that possess newspaper indexes and the indexes they possess. Second, it indicates where indexes for a particular newspaper are held. While not exhaustive, this work can still provide quality leads for finding newspaper indices.
Newspaper Indexes: A Location and Subject Guide for Researchers. by Anita C. Milner
Call Number: McKeldin Reference: PN4700 .M5
Publication Date: 1977-06-28
This book lists libraries where newspapers are held and indexed on a state-by-state basis.