The London Gazette: From Royalty Decrees to Your Grubby Little Hands (Well, Not That Grubby)
Ah, the London Gazette. A name that evokes images of quill pens scratching parchment, pronouncements from the palace, and news fit for a king (or queen, depending on the era). But fear not, history buff! You don't need a royal warrant to get your hands on a copy these days. In fact, it's easier than dodging a catapult full of rotten tomatoes during a peasant uprising.
Gone Digital, Not Extinct (Like Fax Machines)
Forget scouring dusty archives or bribing pigeons to carry messages (although, that would be an impressive party trick). The Gazette, along with its fellow editions The Belfast Gazette and The Edinburgh Gazette, have all embraced the digital age. That's right, you can now access this treasure trove of historical notices and official announcements from the comfort of your armchair (or beanbag chair, no judgement).
Setting Sail on the High Seas of Information (https://www.thegazette.co.uk/)
Just head over to https://www.thegazette.co.uk/ and dive right in. You can browse by date, search for specific notices (did your great-great-great uncle get a medal for bravery? Time to find out!), or simply get lost in the fascinating world of company dissolutions, insolvency notices, and, of course, awards and honours (because who doesn't want to feel a little bit regal?).
But wait! There's more! For the truly obsessed (or those who just prefer a physical copy), there are still a few options:
- Limited Print Runs: The Gazette is like a rockstar these days - it only does print by special subscription (perfect for those who like their news old school).
- One-Off Purchases: Feeling fancy? You can snag a copy of a specific edition, or even get a personalized commemorative edition to celebrate an ancestor's brush with greatness (or maybe just a really funny bankruptcy notice).
So You Want to Be Indiana Jones of the Notice Board? How To Get Your Gazette Fix:
How to Search the Online Gazette:
Head to https://www.thegazette.co.uk/ and unleash your inner detective with their search function. You can search by text, type of notice, date, and more.
How to Save Searches and Notices (Free Account Required):
Don't want to miss that life-changing announcement about your missing sock collection? Create a free account to save searches and notices for future reference.
How to Get a Printed Copy (Subscription Needed):
For the truly devoted, contact The Gazette directly to inquire about print subscriptions.
How to Buy a One-Off Printed Copy:
Check out https://www.thegazette.co.uk/ for information on purchasing individual copies or commemorative editions.
How Much Will it Cost?
Prices vary depending on what you're after, but a free online search won't break the bank (and hey, who doesn't love free?).
