As we explain in several places on our web site, we regret that we are unable to respond personally to the many requests for information that we receive each week. The most common requests for information we receive are addressed below:
(Q1) Where can I find microfilm of the BNL newspapers so I can get copies of the original documents found with the help of the index?
(A1) We have no way of keeping track of the libraries that possess copies of the University Microfilm International microfilm copy of the newspaper (see their web site www.umi.com for prices), but we suggest that you contact your local reference librarian, who may be able to help you track down an institution that owns the materials and that might be willing to duplicate the items you seek. Several universities in the United States possess the microfilm, these can be located using the Online Catalog of the Library of Congress (OCLC First Search) and other search engines. We know that the microfilm version is available at the British Library, the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, the Queen’s University of Belfast Library, the Linen Hall Library, Belfast. In the past the Linen Hall Library was willing to provide some photocopy help at a small charge. The original bound hard-copies of the newspaper are available in Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, the Linen Hall Library, Belfast, Northern Ireland, and in the newspaper division of the British Library in London. Each has its own web site. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons) maintains genealogical reading rooms in many cities. We are told that they sometimes own copies of the BNL microfilm and in the past have generously make them available to the general public. If you locate institutions that possess runs of the 18th-century portion of the Belfast Newsletter we will be glad to add them to the above. We would strongly advise you to read the section on BNL microfilm in the “Warning” page of our web site regarding page numbering of the microfilm.
(Q2) Will you help me to search the BNL index?
(A2) The BNL index is maintained at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, but we have no ancillary support for the index. Therefore, we are unable to undertake searches of the index under any circumstances. Please read the web page describing how to undertake searches of the index or ask your local research librarian for help in doing a search of our database.