In a message dated 12/29/99 8:41:28 PM Pacific Standard Time, conner4@nstar.net writes: << Today my employer sent me to the University of Oklahoma to do some research in old newspapers. While there, I discovered the University has quite a collection of newspapers on microfilm dating back to 1785. >> On a similar note.......each and every state has a state library, and each state library usually has a collection of old newspapers on microfilm which you may order through interlibrary loan. I've ordered "old newspaper" microfilm from both the state library of Pennsylvania and the state library of Virginia and I've thoroughly enjoyed reading through them. Even though I originally ordered the newspaper films to search for obituaries, I ended up reading about all sorts of local happenings which better acquainted me with the history of the area I was researching. I read about horse shows, oyster suppers run by the local church group, accidents down at the saw mill, and even a murder trial. If you are interested in finding out what each state library's holdings are, I believe the yahoo search below will take you the homepage of each state library. I don't know about all of them, but I've had a good experience with the state libraries of at least two of them. It takes a little extra effort to locate and order exactly what you want, but I think it is well worth the trouble. Your local reference librarian can help you too. My library charges $1 per reel which I consider a bargain. http://dir.yahoo.com/Reference/Libraries/U_S__State_Libraries/ OR <A HREF="http://dir.yahoo.com/Reference/Libraries/U_S__State_Libraries/">Yaho o! Reference:Libraries:U.S. State Libraries</A>