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With the Ryder Cup much in the news at the moment, we thought we’d post two newspaper reports about the first two years of the famous tournament.The first story reports on the build-up to the match that took place at Wentworth in early June 1926. This story also reports that Mr Samuel Ryder has kindly put up a cup for this match.The second story reports on the first official tournament, which took place at the Worcester Country Club in…

We really enjoyed hearing about the ancestors of William Roache in last night’s episode of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’In particular, we loved learning about the evolution of Blackpool as a blingy mecca for tourists, and the very interesting role that William’s ancestors played in the development of the city.If you live in the UK and missed the programme, you can watch it on the BBC iPlayer.– www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01n2thm/Who_Do_You_Think_You_Are_Series_9_William_Roache/…

The ancestors of William Roache are up for inspection in tonight’s episode of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’We’re especially looking forward to learning about his entrepreneurial great-grandfather, who dealt in some very unusual wares in 19th Century Blackpool.  Curious and curiouser. . .We hope that, as in last week’s show on Alex Kingston, old newspapers will be used to add colour and character to the lives of William Roache’s family ancestors.– BBC1, Wednesday, 26 September, 21:00– www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01n2thm…

The ancestors of Alex Kingston will be featured in tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are?In addition to learning about the death of her great-grandfather in World War One, Alex will be trying to discover if there is any Jewish ancestry in her family tree.In the trailer for the programme, it looks like historical newspapers are one of the resources used for Alex’s research – so we’re really looking forward to see which newspapers are featured!– BBC1,…

31 AugustMary Ward: the first fatality in a car accident in the UK & Ireland, 31.8.1869 – find out more on the BNA blog http://bit.ly/1duuKBB“He who would valiant be ‘gainst all disaster” – John Bunyan died in London on 31 August 1688, aged 59 http://bit.ly/160Pzyp30 AugustEvacuation of children & other ‘priority classes’ from UK cities, 30/31 August 1939 – visit the BNA blog to read more http://bit.ly/16QhwtN29 AugustThe sinking of HMS Royal George at Spithead on 29 August 1782 – visit the BNA blog to read newspaper reports on this tragedy28…

We’re very much looking forward to watching Annie Lennox in tonight’s episode of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’From what we’ve heard about tonight’s show, we believe it’s going to be a very moving programme.It seems that, in particular, a kirk session record from the mid-18th Century will arouse Annie’s righteous anger.It’ll be interesting to see if Annie’s research involves using any old newspapers – if so, we’ll see if we can find these stories in the Archive.…

A regular visitor to the BNA website kindly shared this wonderful story with us.At its heart, the report tells the story of Sheila O’Neill, as she sets off on her new career as the first female taxicar driver in London.With her portfolio of nursing and mechanical skills, she sounds like the ideal professional driver. Not only that, but her unique uniform sounds like a thing of rare beauty – not to mention tres chic! Still further, to reassure any…

Monsieurs Granpree and Le Pique fight for the hand of Mademoiselle Tirevit in the skies above ParisWe love stumbling across quirky stories in the Archive!More often than not, we find these stories while looking for something else – our eyes always seem happy to read weird and wonderful tales in adjacent columns.This strange story reports on the first duel to be fought in hot air gas [Ed: Thanks to all that provided feedback. Correction made!] balloons, in Paris,…

On 24 August 1814, a British force led by Major General Robert Ross defeated the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg, and then marched on Washington DC.Once Ross and his soldiers reached the capital, they set fire to many public buildings, including the White House and the US Capitol. The soldiers were under strict orders not to burn any private buildings.This episode was part of the War of 1812 between Britain and the USA, which lasted until the Treaty of Ghent…

The great Hollywood screen idol, Rudolph Valentino, died on 23 August 1926, aged only 31.Known as ‘the Great Lover’, ‘Valentino’ or ‘the Latin Lover’, he was one of the biggest stars of the silent era.He died from severe pleuritis, after developing peritonitis following an operation to remove his appendix and gastric ulcers.His death caused mass hysteria in New York, as fans rioted in order to view his body in the funeral parlour.There are 100s of stories about ‘Valentino’ in…