Tuesday's Tip - British Newspapers Online

A great new resource is now available online - Briitsh Newspapers 1710-1950   on the website www.findmpast.co.uk and it is well worth having a browsing session. There is always a fascination in  seeing an original archive relating to an ancestor, and I was delighted  to find these entries below  on individuals in my wider family history  who were leading very ordinary lives. You can purchase pay-as-you-view credits, so do not need to take out an expensive subscription.  


I keyed in "Henry Danson" of Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire  (name of both my GG and GGG grandfather) and found four  references.

• Lancaster Gazette Saturday 21 March 1812
  To be Sold by Auction.  Lots  6 and 7 relate to my Danson family,

• Blackburn Standard Wednesday 20 May 1840 - In the Death Announcements . Betty, widow of the late Mr. Henry Danson, yeoman, Trap Estate, Carleton, near Poulton-le-Fylde. She was much esteemed, and will be greatly regretted by a large circle of acquaintances.
• Preston Chronicle Saturday 16 April 1859 - in the Marriage Announcements
William Henry Gaulter, coal and land agent, Poulton-le-Fylde, to Mary, third daughter of Mr. Henry Danson, of Leys Farm, formerly of Trap Farm, Carleton.


• Preston Chronicle - Saturday 31st August 1867 - On Saturday 1st the directors
  of the Shard Bridge Company appointed Mr Henry Danson of Poulton-le-Fylde toll collector, vacant by the demise of Mr Thomas Moore.

These are not normally newspaper titles I would think of consulting for events in Poulton, especially "The Blackburn Standard", so it is worth considering widening a search beyond the  obvious.  
I  was researching a sideline to my family - a female line of a great uncle.   I found this very sad entry where, because of the sensitive nature,  I have omitted the actual names.  

• Lincolnshire Chronicle Friday 27 March 1896:  
GRANTHAM - SUICIDE.  Mr Aubrey H. Malin, coroner, held an inquest into  the death of H.......L........, aged 65, a coach-body maker, who died on the previous day.—A..... L......... son of the deceased, identified the body. Deceased had been suffering from white-lead colic for six weeks but had not stayed off work until the previous Wednesday.  Deceased of late had appeared in a rather depressed state.  He seemed to trouble about the idea of having to live upon his children.   William Deed, engine driver,  said he had known the deceased for about 20 years.  On Saturday at lunchtime, the witness was called to the deceased house.  In his bedroom, he found the deceased lying on his side, with his throat cut and a razor in his hand.  He had noticed that the deceased had been rather absent minded.  Dr. Paterson, attributed death to shock and exhaustion, due to loss of blood.  Verdict - Suicide whilst in a state of unsound mind. 

My husband's great grandfather was Aaron Armitage  a miner from Yorkshire  and I came across this entry.  The age and place  tallies with "my" Aaron Armitage, but it  will need more research to confirm it is the "right" person.

• Leeds Intelligencer Saturday 20 August 1864T - THE SECOND ASSIZE SUNDAY. AARON ARMITAGE, 13, collier, pleaded Guilty to a charge of having feloniously placed iron lurry upon and across the Worsborough branch of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway, with intent to injure and obstruct the train, the 10th of July.  He was sentenced to be imprisoned for  one moth and to receive six stripes of the birch rod  in the last week.

So if you have British ancestors, take a look at this site.   

You could find some interesting entries relating to your family.   

Tuessday Tips is one of many daily blog prompts from www.geneabloggers.com to encourage writers to record their family history activities.