Do you search multiple or single editions? Do you refine results or use various Search techniques?
Maybe, you have been overwhelmed by the number of search results.
How about taking this CHALLENGE.
- Try selecting one paper (preferably one of the smaller companies) and use various search terms related to your Thames research.
- A new paper listed this April that I chose to look at is: The Saturday Advertiser 1875-1878.
The Saturday Advertiser - Any news from Thames?
Background on the paper: "One of the liveliest weekly newspapers began as a stand-alone publication but was later bought by a daily. It was also one of the earliest attempts to create a national newspaper."
Search Results: Using "THAMES" there are 269 results, not all related to Thames, New Zealand. Here are a few examples.
- Missing Friends. It was not uncommon for the papers of this era to have lists of uncollected mail, addressed to settlers who had long left their town and ventured elsewhere. In the newspaper 21 August 1875 was a MISSING FRIEND notice. Have you by chance seen Francis C Morpeth of the Thames Goldfield?
- Good news on 4 September 1875, the Thames Gas Company had declared a 10 percent dividend.
- 18 September 1875 it was reported that Mr Rees had challenged the leaders of the Government movement at the Thames to a meeting!
- Floods had hit the town in November 1875.
- The 'State' of the country was discussed 13 November 1875 - with mention of the Gold production at Thames around 1870 but then the disappointment that the hopeful leads had not produced more.
- Lots of general news appears under the title "Watchman". Such as 8 April 1876, when it was noted that a destructive fire had taken place at the Thames which destroyed several shops and the Congregational Church at Grahamstown.
- Maori Superstition was discussed 1 December 1877, relating to the death of a man named Te Moananui at the Thames.
- In various editions the history of Captain Cook visit to the Thames was discussed.
- The paper 22 December 1877, reported that Mr Firth had liberated 9000 young trout in the Thames River tributaries.
- The results of the Thames Electoral Census were reported 4 May 1878. The total population was 12,516; in 1874 it was 12,289 and in 1871 it was 11,950.
Births, Marriages & Deaths:
- 13 December 1875: Mrs John Cashell of Willoughby Street, Thames had given birth to a baby daughter on the 29th October.
- 29 January 1876: William Price (builder of Auckland) married Isabella Graham Aitken (daughter of Thomas Aitken the dispenser at Thames Hospital. The ceremony was performed by Rev Lush at the St George's Church on the 11th January.
Letters to the Editor: One of the most interesting aspects of the paper was the 'answers to correspondents' where the Editor explained to submitters why their letters had been refused or accepted. WARHAWK of Thames was reassured that the paper was independent regarding politics and M.C.T. from the Shotover had a reply on mining payouts. (see below)
SATURDAY ADVERTISER, ISSUE 29, 29 JANUARY 1876
On 15 July 1876, M.S.L of Thames was informed his letter would not be published "Its publication could do no good, and would only tend to lead us into a religious controversy, a thing which we are anxious to avoid."
A controversial issue was raised on 4 August 1877 - a letter from ORANGEMAN of Thames was refused publication. 'We must positively refuse to insert your contribution, as it is calculated to wound the feelings of a large number of our fellow colonists." A long explanation followed and ended with "Write sensibly and temperately, and our columns will be open to you, but not otherwise."
Follow-up:
While there were Morpeth's in the Thames area, no evidence as yet that Francis Morpeth mined or lived at the Thames.
Showing interior view of St Georges Church, Thames looking towards the altar and a member of the clergy standing up the front, 1874
