Newspaper House, home of The West Australian, 1957
Interested in searching through back issues of The West Australian? The West Australian Archive Digital Editions is now available for searching in the State Library. This database covers all issues of the newspaper from July 2004 until yesterday. It contains the same content, editorial and photographic material including the classifieds for birth, death and marriage notices, you’ll find in the printed version with the exception of The West Magazine and commercial inserts which are not included. It can be searched using keywords and articles can be printed.
This database is only be available within the library – you need to register with the library to access and book library computers. You can access the database from our Electronic Resources e-Newspapers page or from its catalogue record.
Interested in earlier issues? You can search digitised issues of The West Australian from late 1879 to early 1900 [UPDATE: now 1954] on the Digitised newspapers and more section of TROVE.
The Australian Newspapers service [developed by the National library] allows access to historic Australian newspapers digitised as part of the Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program. For further information about the Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program (ANDP), view the public website at: http://www.nla.gov.au/ndp
If you need information from issues between 1955 and 2003 they are available on microfilm (along with earlier and later editions that are also in the online services), you can view the microfilm at the State Library.
If you need help finding information from The West or if you are unable to visit the State Library to use the database or microfilm please contact the State Library’s information services.
[Updated 19 October 2011]
And the digitization continues! As of April 2010 there are now issues from 1901, 1911, 1912, 1922 and 1923 available – on Australian Newspapers, check this page for progress! http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/title/30
Is it possible to view a copy of the West Australian on the 29th November 1999 ?
Thanks
Costa Pieri
Hi Costa, sorry about the delay in responding, I’ve been on leave. 1999 issues are not yet available digitally – from 2004 issues are available in libraries that subscribe to “The West Australian Digital Archive”. Issues up to 1954 are freely available on the “Digitised Newspapers and More” (formerly “Austrlian Newspapers”)section of Trove. See: http://www.trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/title/30 Later issues (i.e. 1955-2003) are available on microfilm – you can visit a library that holds the microfilm (e.g. State Library of WA) or you may be able to request the microfilm on interlibrary loan – enquire at your local library.
I am doing a presentation for university in the UK and wanted aa esxtact of the edotion 22.3.1984 ‘ we are not discriminating against Britons’
Is it possible to obtain a copy?
thanks
peter willows
Hi Peter, Unfortunately, as you can see from my previous comment this issue isn’t digitsed. Also copyright law prevents us from just sending you a copy… you’ll need to arrange copy through your own library’s inter-library-loan or document delivery services. All the best with this!
BusLib
Hi,
I wanted to obtain a copy of The West magazine on Saturday 22 Nov 2008. The West Aust archives does not have the West magazine. Do you know where I can get a copy?
thanks.
Hi Sue, that issue should be available on microfilm – http://catalogue.slwa.wa.gov.au/record=b2815377~S2 . You can visit us to look at it. If you aren’t able to visit us you should be able to request either a copy of the article you want or borrow the microfilm for viewing (depending on the services available at your library.
Ridiculous! Nothing between early-1900s and 2004? Get with the program!
Hi Mark, if you read back through the comments on this post you’ll see that “The West” is available online via Trove http://www.trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/title/30 up to and including 1954. Issues between 1955 and 2003 are available on microfilm from the State Library. Currently copyright prevents us from making these later issues available digitally.
I would like to view the death notices of the West for the 4th,5th,6th and seventh April 2011
How can I do this on the computor?
Hi Jan, currently you will need to come into the State Library to view these either online or in print. We are making many of our e-resources available to State Library members from home http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/find/e-resources , however this one is not yet available.
If you are not in Western Australia you will need to speak to your local or State Library for assistance.
I read an article recently say in the
last 6 weeks to do with JOHN CLEESE in
either the West or a supplement. I thought
I kept a copy but now cant find it.
Is it possible to find the article?
Hi Ray, currently you will need to come into the State Library to search for this either online or in print. Whilst we are making many of our e-resources available to State Library members from home http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/find/e-resources, the West’s digital archive is not yet available. You may also wish to contact our information services for assistance: http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/find/services/information_services
Hi ,
I need information and details of your paper’s report on the 20/07/1974 regarding a so called pirate Black Jack Anderson in the Albany area in the 19th Century,I am doing research for my book about this Character.
kind regards
Tommy Walter Druce.
Hi Tommy, thanks for your comment. We’re not the publishers of “The West Australian”! We’re the State Library of WA and we hold and preserve the copies for researchers such as yourself. As I’ve already mentioned “Issues between 1955 and 2003 are available on microfilm from the State Library. Currently copyright prevents us from making these later issues available digitally.” If you can’t get to the State Library of WA you could request either the microfilm on interlibrary loan or a copy of the article via your local library’s document delivery service. You may also wish to contact our information services for assistance: http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/find/services/information_services
Good luck with your book – I’ve been to Black Jack Anderson’s hangout on Middle Island in the Recherche archipelago, it’s a wild and beautiful place!
looking for news on Jerzy Tomiak in the year 1975 do not remember exact date.
Hi was seaman Chef on polish cargo ship when he jump the ship and ask for asylum
Hi Leszek, As I’ve already mentioned here “Issues [of "The West Australian"] between 1955 and 2003 are available on microfilm from the State Library. Currently copyright prevents us from making these later issues available digitally”. If you wish for help searching “The West” or any other of our library resources please use our information services – http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/find/services/information_services . If you are trying to find a lost relative you could try the Salvation Army Family Tracing Service http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/familytracing/ or the Red Cross http://www.redcross.org.au/ourservices_aroundtheworld_tracingrefugeeservices_default.htm. Good luck with your search!
I am looking for death notices 8-13th march 2004 West Australian Newspaper, can anyone help me I live in Queensland.
Hi Greg, thanks for the query. You need to be a WA resident to be authorised to access our subscription to the digital version of the West Australian. Your best option is to request a copy of the pages via the document delivery service. Enquire at your local library or contact the State Library of Queensland http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/services/loans/docdel
hello, where would i find any information ( if their was anything printed in the newspapers) about me fathers drowning on new years day 1972 at lake leschenaultia, near chidlow, thankyou.
Hi Anthony, sorry about not replying sooner, I’ve been on leave. As I’ve already mentioned issues [of "The West Australian"] between 1955 and 2003 are available on microfilm from the State Library. Currently copyright prevents us from making these later issues available digitally”. If you can’t visit the library to search “The West” or any other of our library resources please contact our information services – http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/find/services/information_services
Hi am looking for an article on my Father John (Jacko) Hutchins, he was suppose to go to Singapore for the 1950s Commonwealth games for Boxing. He came off his Motor bike in North Fremantle. There was an articel in the paper of him in hopsital with my Mother Margaret Hutchins nee Nunn. Are you able to help me fins this information??
Hi Rebecca, what is available to you from home will depend on when in the 1950s this incident occured. The West” is available online via Trove http://www.trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/title/30 up to and including 1954. Issues between 1955 and 2003 are available on microfilm from the State Library. Currently copyright prevents us from making these later issues available digitally. (Issues between July 2004 and yesterday are available in an online archive – http://catalogue.slwa.wa.gov.au/record=e1001654~S2 – to State Library members, in the State Library building). If you can’t visit the library to search “The West” or any other of our library resources please contact our information services – http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/find/services/information_services
Looking for death notice of Wayne Robert Hughes – born in Fremantle in 1953. Parents Lesley Mervin Hughes and Peggy Amelia Crouch.
Hi Coral, Where to search will depend on when Mr Hughes died. Issues of “The West” between 1955 and 2003 are available on microfilm in the State Library. Currently copyright prevents us from making these later issues available digitally. (Issues between July 2004 and yesterday are available in an online archive – http://catalogue.slwa.wa.gov.au/record=e1001654~S2 – to State Library members, in the State Library building). If you can’t visit the library to search “The West” or need further assistance with this query please contact our information services – http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/find/services/information_services Good luck with your searching.
Hi Coral, if you are ever tracking your wider Hughes family, I can help.
Lesley had brothers/sisters in Leonard, Herbert, Joyce and Lorna I believe.
Their parents were David and Violet (nee Cook) and I can trace them back to 1799 in Wales. My mother is a Hughes
Im looking for a photo of Kevin Sheedy & James Hird holding the Premiership Cup from the 1993 AFL Grand Final. Would this be available???
Sorry. Got confused. Looking for photo of Bomber Thompson & Kevin Sheedy holding 1993 Cup AND photo of Kevin Sheedy & James Hird holding 2000 Premiership Cup? How would I locate these? I’m sure they would have been in paper.
Hi Belinda, As previously mentioned, “Issues between 1955 and 2003 are available on microfilm from the State Library. Currently copyright prevents us from making these later issues available digitally.” If you can’t get to the State Library of WA you could request the microfilm on interlibrary loan. You may also wish to contact our information services for assistance with locating the particular photographs: http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/find/services/information_services.If you want reprints of the photos or wish to use them in another publication you’ll need to contact The West, see: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/faq/
how do i serch for articals with a name in them, looking for a car acident in the 80s with name robert stewart who lost a few fingers.. thanks
Hi Darryl,
As previously mentioned, “Issues between 1955 and 2003 are available on microfilm from the State Library. Currently copyright prevents us from making these later issues available digitally.” You should contact our information services to help you find the article you want: http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/find/services/information_services
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fine however when opening in Internet Explorer, it has
some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Aside from that, wonderful site!
Thankyou for your kind words about our site. I’ll pass the information about browser compatibility issues on to our IT people.
With regards to the “copyright issues” relating to the 1955-2003 period, are attempts being made to try and resolve, or is this expected to take many years to try and overcome?
I’m just trying to judge whether to wait and after an update on progress in this regard.
Hi Rochelle, newspapers prior to the mid 1950s are out of copyright so have been digitised under the national “Newspaper Digitisation Programme” (see http://www.nla.gov.au/content/newspaper-digitisation-program). Later issues are still in copyright so we don’t have the right to digitise them. Alas I would be speculating if I attempted to suggest when these issues may be available digitally. Consequently if you need access to articles from 1955 to 2003 I suggest you use our microfilm or contact our information services (http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/find/services/information_services) for assistance.
I am in Sydney and wanting to find an article in the West Australian by Helen McNee on disability, somewhere between the years 1968 and 1990. Is it possible to search online? If not, can one do a electronic search at the Battye Library, rather than looking through all those issues?
Hi Roobark, as it says in the above post, “if you need information from issues between 1955 and 2003 they are available on microfilm (along with earlier and later editions that are also in the online services), you can view the microfilm at the State Library.
If you need help finding information from The West or if you are unable to visit the State Library to use the database or microfilm please contact the State Library’s information services (http://slwa.wa.gov.au/find/services/information_services ).”
You may also wish to try the State Library of NSW who hold most of the issues you want on microfilm http://library.sl.nsw.gov.au/record=b3243955~S2 You can also contact their information services for assistance http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/services/ask/index.html
Hello
You can submit an electronic enquiry via our website using our online enquiry form here:
http://yourenquiryservice.slwa.wa.gov.au/reft100.aspx?key=YES_Client
and a librarian will respond to your query.
Cant find anything at all about two prisoners escaping from Albany prison in 1996 wich eneded in siege hostage in donnybrook I was one of them very strange
Thanks for the comment Paul, were you looking on the microfilm? If not, then it’s not quite so strange… Issues between 1955 and 2003 are available on microfilm (along with earlier and later editions that are also in the online services), you can view the microfilm at the State Library.
The West Australian Archive Digital Editions database covers all issues of the newspaper from July 2004 until yesterday.
If you need help finding information from The West or if you are unable to visit the State Library to use the database or microfilm please contact the State Library’s information services (http://slwa.wa.gov.au/find/services/information_services).