Help needed with the Skulls at Leeds library

[Si]

Sorry, chaps. I can't make Sunday afternoons. I have the kids over at weekends. Mind, I could ask them if they know how to use a microfilm machine...! Evening for a pint should be OK, though.

[Tasa]

Yes, I should be able to manage that!Christina (real name!)

[cnosni]

drapesy wrote: I really don't want to put a dampener on things here - but I have serious doubts as to the chances of finding something in the newspapers- its a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack - but you can't even be certain that the needle's there.I have searched the early Leeds Newspapers (Mercury and Intelligencer) for cricket references and although we know there was a Leeds club playing games from 1760 there are only a handful of passing references right up to about 1825. There also many gaps in the collection of 18th century papersNewspapers in this time were incredibly expensive in modern money - and the ordinary person would have had little interest in them,- They were aimed at the 'upper' classes and better off merchants - copies could be read in coffee houses for instance.The content seems to be concerned to a very large extent to what is happening in 'court' in London - so there is plenty of detail of the comings and goings of the Royal Family and members of the aristocracy and alsothe proceedings of the House of Lords. Much of the news concerns London, therefore (with large sections taken directly from London papers). Much is also given over to foreign despatches - details of wars and skirmishes abroad, and also Royal Families there.The complex political situations are covered too - The Intelligencer was a Tory paper whilst the Mercury was Whig - there was no love lost between the two.Sadly what there is an incredible lack of is exactly what would interest us - local news. Presumably this was of little or no interest to the readership at that time. Believe me they are nothing like the Y.E.P !!!Honestly though - best of luck -I hope you prove me wrong!!     Point taken Drapesy,however when i was looking through the database at the British Library there was all the references you speak of but also details about locals and local events,just as it is today in the paper,drownings,murders,kidnaps,suicides,robbery,local militia,house fires etc etc.The thing is is that if we dont at least look at whats available then we will never actually know if the answer is there or not.There are not just the newspapers but also a number of Thoresby publications regarding notable events.I only got a quick look at was available when Phil and i were there,so there may well be something worth looking at.Never mind Si,will you be coming to the meet?Tasa,welcome on board.

[drapesy]

You're quite right Cnosni - there are little 'snippets' sometimes - generally under the heading 'Local Intelligence' - and perhaps that might turn up something ' hopefully. I think the Thoresby society research is well worth looking into - they have done masses of research over the years

[Si]

I'm hoping so, Chris.

[slw]

I should be able to spare an hour or two. (Other half might come too if thats ok ?)    

[Phill_d]

All invited SLW. Thanks to everyone offering so far

[cnosni]

slw wrote: I should be able to spare an hour or two. (Other half might come too if thats ok ?)     All hands on the deck,come on down!!

[cnosni]

Just to keep this thread in the headlines.All welcome for the search.

[cnosni]

Ok as it stands we have:-MeThe Tunnel dweller (phil)Slw and partnerTasaLS1dscoSteve JonesAnyone else??