Link to "Lists, Tables, and Directories of Post Offices, 1803–" Link to contents for "Sources of Historical Information on Post Offices, Postal Employees, Mail Routes, and Mail Contractors"      Link to "Official Register of the United States, 1816–1911"

Newspapers, 1700s–

Early newspapers often contain advertisements for mail route bids and for service on various routes. They also might contain the schedule of mail arrival and changes to mail service, Post Offices, and postmasters.

Note: In the 18th and early 19th centuries, postmasters were sometimes also the local newspaper editor/printer.

Hundreds of historic newspapers have been reproduced in searchable electronic databases, such as ProQuest Historical Newspapers™, Readex’s Early American Newspapers, and Gale’s 19th Century U.S. Newspapers, which are available online by subscription and at many research libraries. Some state and local libraries have also digitized portions of their newspaper collections and have made them available online to the general public. A useful guide to early American newspapers is available on the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers Web pages, at http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.




Link to "Lists, Tables, and Directories of Post Offices, 1803–" Link to contents for "Sources of Historical Information on Post Offices, Postal Employees, Mail Routes, and Mail Contractors"      Link to "Official Register of the United States, 1816–1911"