Historians use various sources to gather information about the past. Two of the most common sources are old newspapers and official records. While both sources provide valuable information, there are some key differences between the two.




Old newspapers and official records contain different types of information. Official records typically include legal documents, such as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and property deeds. Newspapers, on the other hand, contain news stories, editorials, advertisements, and other types of content.


Official records tend to focus on individual events, such as births, deaths, and marriages. Newspapers, on the other hand, provide a broader perspective on events and issues that were happening at the time. For example, a newspaper article about a local election might provide information about the candidates, their platforms, and the issues that were important to voters.


Official records are generally considered to be more accurate than newspapers. This is because official records are usually created at the time of the event, by someone with firsthand knowledge of what happened. Newspapers, on the other hand, are written by journalists who may not have been present at the event they are reporting on. Additionally, newspapers may have biases or agendas that can affect the accuracy of their reporting.



Historians can use both official records and old newspapers to gather information about the past. The choice of which source to use depends on the research question and the type of information needed. Some factors to consider include:

- How specific the information needs to be
- When the event happened
- Where the event happened
- What type of information is needed

For example, if a historian is researching a specific person or family, they may rely heavily on official records, such as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and census records. If they are researching a broader topic, such as the Civil War, they may use newspapers to get a better sense of the political and social context of the time.



In conclusion, while there are some key differences between the information found in old newspapers and official records, both sources can be valuable to historians. By considering the research question and the type of information needed, historians can choose the best source(s) to use in their research.

The information that historians get from old newspapers will be different from the ones in police records because the reports in newspapers is affected by the views and opinions of the reporters and editors whereas what the historians find in police records are true and realistic.