The Bermuda National Library has launched an online digital newspaper collection, Public Information Services Minister Neletha Butterfield announced.

The public now have free access to copies of The Royal Gazette (and its predecessors) from 1784 to 1899 and The Bermuda Recorder from July 1933 to July 1975, via the Government portal.

These digital records were made from the microfilm copies held by the Bermuda National Library.

Ms Butterfield said: "The Bermuda National Library is pleased to offer this service free of charge to the global community, allowing access to part of Bermuda's published history as presented in two of Bermuda's landmark newspapers.

"Twenty-four hour global access to these two newspaper collections will benefit both local and overseas researchers of all ages.

"It is now possible for Bermudians to sit in their homes and offices and read about the one guinea reward offered for the 'Runaway negro wench named Hagar' in our very first newspaper printed on January 17, 1784. Or indeed read the early proceedings of the Legislative Council and the General Assembly of Bermuda, coverage of which started on February 14 of that year."