Historic Gaelic Newspapers Available Online
Nova Scotians will now be able to learn more about the province's rich Gaelic history through a collection of newspapers digitized by the Nova Scotia Archives.
To celebrate Gaelic Awareness Month, Nova Scotia Archives, in partnership with the Beaton Institute at Cape Breton University and the Gaelic Affairs division of the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, will add four Gaelic publications to its online collection, of Nova Scotia Historical Newspapers.
"These newspapers are an invaluable source of Gaelic history and culture and to have them available online is a service to Gaelic speakers and researchers throughout the world," said David Wilson, Minister of Communities, Culture, and Heritage. "Providing access to this historical resource raises the profile of Gaelic language and culture in Nova Scotia and adds to the understanding of its contributions to our diverse culture and heritage."
The online collection will include Fear na Céilidh (The Visitor), Teachdaire nan Gàidheal (The Messenger of the Gaels), Am Mosgladh (The Awakening) and An Solus Iùil (Guiding Light).
Web visitors can explore 1435 pages of Gaelic and English content. Pages are presented in a zoom-viewer that allows the reader to examine them in detail. Newspapers can be browsed by year and month.
"Nova Scotia newspapers are a deteriorating resource," said Lois Yorke, provincial archivist. "We hope to continue to digitize more in the years to come so that these important records of our history are not lost forever."
Fear na Céilidh (1928-1930), an all-Gaelic monthly, offers opinions on topics as diverse as the Chinese Civil War, trans-Atlantic flight attempts, the weather and Gaels' contribution to building the British Empire and Canada. An Teachdaire Gàidheal came out sporadically over 10 years (1924-1934). The 45 online issues include news, letters, commentary, songs, stories, folktales, historical information and Gaelic lessons.
Am Mosgladh (1922-32) was a monthly publication of the Scottish Catholic Society in Sydney. Although predominately in English, it offers Gaelic proverbs, prayers, conversational Gaelic lessons, songs, news and folktales. An Solus Iùil (1925) focused on Presbyterian news, including mission efforts, ministerial appointments and church meetings. The 12 digitized issues also include humorous anecdotes and historical information.
The new Gaelic content is available to explore at gov.ns.ca/nsarm/ or on the Nova Scotia Libraries website at nsnewspapers.ca.
Nova Scotia Archives acquires, preserves and makes available the province's documentary heritage.