{"id":55793,"date":"2020-01-29T13:43:48","date_gmt":"2020-01-29T18:43:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=55793"},"modified":"2020-03-09T12:06:21","modified_gmt":"2020-03-09T16:06:21","slug":"iconic-first-editions-of-american-newspapers-part-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/iconic-first-editions-of-american-newspapers-part-i.html","title":{"rendered":"Iconic First Editions of American Newspapers, Part I"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak begins a series examining our earliest newspapers by focusing on the first two newspapers in America. Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.<\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a project for your kids, or want to take on a new project for yourself, look up the first time a historical newspaper was printed. You never know what you will find. One day it will be a birth or marriage notice, and the next you might even discover a report of a famous pirate you assumed was a legend!<\/p>\n

\"Illustration:<\/a>
Illustration: Edward Teach, a.k.a. \u201cBlackbeard,\u201d c. 1736. Credit: Joseph Nicholls; Wikipedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Either way, you won\u2019t regret this journey as it\u2019s a fascinating look at the place where our genealogical research begins every day at GenealogyBank<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Whens and Wheres of Newspapers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not only that, but knowing when a publication started, where it was published, and when it went out of print is an important concept for genealogy. When a newspaper isn\u2019t available in an ancestral location, you can look to neighboring areas\u2019 newspapers for birth, marriage, death and family notices.<\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s start at the beginning. What were the first newspapers published in America, did they have an important history, and can we find them in GenealogyBank? These first newspapers are rich with American history \u2013 although you could write novels about them, I\u2019d like to start, with this blog article, by quickly spotlighting the first two newspapers in America \u2013 both of which are available in GenealogyBank.<\/p>\n

Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick (25 September 1690)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The oldest newspaper known to have been published in America was Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This was during Colonial times and it consisted of four 6-by-10-inch pages, but only three were filled. Editor Benjamin Harris, with printer Richard Pierce (or Pearce), published it in Boston without permission from British authorities \u2013 so it was very short-lived. Four days after publication, a broadside was issued by the Colonial Governor forbidding the publication of \u201canything in Print without License first obtained from those that are or shall be appointed by the Government to grant the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Masthead<\/a>
Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick (Boston, Massachusetts), 25 September 1690, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As you can read from the mission statement below, they wanted their newspaper to be published once a month \u201c(or if any Glut of Occurrences happen, oftener).\u201d Sadly, due to the disapproval of the authorities, this was the only edition of the paper.<\/p>\n

\"Mission<\/a>
Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick (Boston, Massachusetts), 25 September 1690, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Note that in this first mission statement of America\u2019s first newspaper, the publisher pledged to be impartial and truthful:<\/p>\n

\u201cIn order hereunto, the Publisher will take what pains he can to obtain a Faithful Relation of all such things [as have arrived unto our Notice]; and will particularly make himself beholden to such Persons in Boston whom he knows to have been for their own use the diligent Observers of such matters.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Benjamin Harris explained he had three reasons, or purposes, for his newspaper:<\/p>\n