Help needed with the Skulls at Leeds library

Post by **cnosni** » Thu 24 Apr, 2008 7:37 pm

Anyone interested in helping out at the library to go through the microfilm copies of the Leeds Mercury newspaper would be most welcome.If you are interested then please register your interest.Now thinking of Sunday afternoon,11 th May,afternoon,on the day of the mooted meet up to dis cuss strategy so we can wet our whistles after the library.Thinking of about 8 to 10 people,too many will be difficult to accomadate and coordinate as we will have to be methodical.There is also the possibilty that we can go through some burial records if we have enough.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Thu 24 Apr, 2008 7:44 pm

YEP! I can actually spare an hour or so tomorrow if your free Chris!

Post by **cnosni** » Thu 24 Apr, 2008 8:12 pm

I was thinking about Sunday the 11th Phil,pending what anyone can make.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Thu 24 Apr, 2008 8:15 pm

Is it open Sundays?

Post by **cnosni** » Thu 24 Apr, 2008 8:18 pm

Phill_d wrote: Is it open Sundays? Yes til 5,and its usually quiet,so its the best day for being able to get on the microfilm readers.Drapesy is ok with a meet up on Sunday the 11th,so we could have a session in the library then meet up with any others afterwards to have a natter and quench our thirst,how does that sound!!

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Thu 24 Apr, 2008 8:25 pm

Ok here!

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Thu 24 Apr, 2008 8:37 pm

I work during the day most sundays - so sorry cant make the Library - all hail to those that do though!

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Thu 24 Apr, 2008 9:17 pm

I can do both, just let me know when your wanting to go!!!!

Post by **cnosni** » Thu 24 Apr, 2008 9:32 pm

LS1 wrote: I can do both, just let me know when your wanting to go!!!! Top man that 3 of us.Thinking about late afternoon for the library,not too long as the brain and eyes begin to hurt and you begin to develop a mighty thirst.Will come up with a time suitable to all,but the library shuts at 5 so thinking about meeting 230,take 20 minutes to set up probably,a couple of hours of looking,depending on how many come/how much we get done then probably need another visit.What about you Steve Jones,i bet youve handled one of these beasts before!Tasa,you sound like a fact digger!!

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Fri 25 Apr, 2008 1:22 am

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!!