We often receive questions about how to locate newspaper material online. Below, we’ve listed the best full-text sources for the most popular UK and international newspapers. Below that, please read the descriptions of how to use each database.
Which Databases to Use
The Daily Telegraph 2000-present on Nexis or Factiva
The Financial Times 1981-present on Factiva, 1996-present on ProQuest ABI/INFORM Global
The Guardian 1981-present on Factiva, 1984-present on Nexis, 1821-2003 on ProQuest Historical Newspapers
The Independent 1988-present on Nexis or Factiva
The International Herald Tribune 1991-present on Nexis or 1992-present on Factiva
The New York Times 1980-present on Factiva or Nexis, 1851-2006 on ProQuest Historical Newspapers
The Observer 1981-present on Factiva, 1992-present on Nexis, 1791-2003 on ProQuest Historical Newspapers
The Times 1981-present on Factiva, 1985-present on Nexis, 1785-1985 on the Times Digital Archive
Oxford users should be sure to be on the university network when accessing these databases. It is also best to access them through a search of OxLIP+ (the Bodleian Libraries’ gateway to databases, electronic reference works and e-Journals).
If you’re looking for a newspaper that’s not listed here or for earlier coverage of one that is, please come talk to us or have a look at the newspaper databases listed in OxLIP+ (look under find “subject” in find database).
How to Use the Databases
Once you have opened Factiva, you will probably want to limit your search to a particular newspaper or newspapers. To do this, click on “Source” at the top of the bulleted list. This will expand the tab. Then, you can either type in the name of the newspaper or browse to find it. The small ‘i’ next to the title will give you details of the publication and the dates available. Click the title itself to select it and then proceed with the rest of the search. Take care to select the search button in the bottom right hand corner — if you pick the search next to the free text field, it will ignore the source parameters you have chosen.
After opening Nexis, you will again most likely want to limit which sources are being searched. To do this, click on the drop-down “sources” (toward the bottom of the page). Here you will find a variety of categories to narrow the type of source. For the Daily Telegraph, the Guardian, the Independent, the Observer or the Times, select “UK newspapers”. For the International Herald Tribune and the New York Times, select “Major world newspapers”. This will generate a list from which you can select the title you need. After placing a check mark next to the title, you can choose the small ‘i’ on the right to read details of the publication and the extent of the database’s coverage. After filling in your search terms, click “search” in the top right.
This ProQuest database is useful for accessing the Financial Times. To limit to this paper, select the fifth tab, “Publications”. Browse or use keywords to find the right title. You will see the dates available indicated to the right of the title. Click on “Financial Times: London” and you will be taken through to a search that is limited to this title.
ProQuest Historical Newspapers
This set of databases can be used to access older material in the New York Times and the Guardian/Observer. From the main ProQuest welcome screen, uncheck all the regular databases and then select from the individual newspaper ones below. Complete a search – basic or advanced – as normal on the next screen. These two databases – and all others for historical newspapers – can be cross-searched.
The Times Digital Archive allows a straightforward keyword search, or you can restrict searches by dates and/or newspaper section.
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