The new Stratford-Perth Archives newspaper database has seen an “enthusiastic response” during its first few weeks online.
There were over 38,000 views of the Perth County database by users from across North America during that span, from as far away as Norway and New Zealand.
The website discovery portal brings together content from archives and libraries in Ontario for free online public access to past issues of local newspapers.
Newspapers are available for viewing and each issue is keyword searchable.
So far, pre-1950 issues are scanned and available to read online.
The archives have digitized 18 Perth County papers so far, 13 that are available online.
These include long-standing publications like the Listowel Banner, Stratford Beacon Herald and the Stratford Times.
It also includes newspapers that are no longer in publication, such as the Atwood Bee and County of Perth Herald.
Perth County Warden Rhonda Ehgoetz explained how it is “wonderful to see these important pieces of Perth County’s history preserved for future generations”.
To learn more about this project, visit the Stratford-Perth Archives page on the Perth County website.
