Today we are going to explore a newspaper search engine called Elephind (https://elephind.com). Elephind was created by Veridian, a digitizing company, and allows you to search many of the large newspaper databases simultaneously with a total of over 4,000 titles. Also if you register (free) some databases allow you to correct the optical recognition errors that may have occurred.

Hint

• You may need to put names in quotes, “Bob Builder”

• Use the filters in the Refine Search box on the left of the screen to narrow results, if necessary.

• Only the first 5 options appear in each category in the Refine Search box. Click “More…” to view all options in a category.

Questions

1. Search John Chambard. Narrow results to United States, then Washington. On the July 30, 1937, which newspaper announced the birth of Mr & Mrs John Chambard’s twin boys?

2. There was another boy born on July 24 at Columbus. What was the father’s name?

3. Search “John A Finch”. Use filters to narrow to 1915. According to the Los Angeles Herald, what was the cause of death?

4. According to the Aberdeen Herald, where was John A Finch’s summer home?

5. Search “Thomas Freestone”. Narrow to United States, then Washington. What was he struck in the abdomen with?

6. Search “Thomas Freestone” again. This time narrow to Australia and 1923. How many pounds (£) was he fined by Paddington Court for his crime?