1. Choose Index volume for desired year.  Print Indexes are located in the Index section (by the south windows) of Wilson 2 West.

The Times Index (Reading, Berkshire) 1785-1789: AI 21 T46 T55
Palmers Index to the Times Newspaper 1790-1905: AI 21 T464
The Times Index, 1906 - to the current A 21 .T35 (Name changes slightly but call number is the same.)

For certain years, make sure you are in the correct portion of the volume:
       1790-1905      Years split into quarterly portions or volumes.
       1914-1976      Each year split alphabetically into two volumes.

2. Locate desired topic.

All main subject headings are alphabetical in uppercase type. Subheadings are alphabetically arranged and indented under the main heading. Entries are then listed in paragraph form chronologically [except for headings where an alphabetical list of entries is easier, such as under "OBITUARIES," "BOOKS (titles and reviews)," or "FILMS". Front-page articles and signed articles are listed under the subheading "Leading articles," or "Articles," respectively.

FOOTBALL (Association):
   Supporters:
       Hillsborough disaster - at least 93 people killed and 200 injured at FA Cup
           semi-final match; photos, (ST) APR. 16, Ala

(ST) APR. 16, Ala Means Sunday Times (ST) of April 16th, Section A, page 1, column a

• Columns are lettered a-h from the left of each page.
• The month is in bold and only listed once for the first citation of that month in a group of citations.

                       Citations without one of these codes refer to the regular edition of The Times.

*Wilson Library has the following editions on microfilm:

The Times (London)	Jan. 1785-
The Sunday Times	Jan. 1972-
The Times Literary Supplement	Jan. 1965-Dec. 1981 (also in paper copy 1902-)
The Times Educational Supplement	1972-1985; 1990-1993
The Times Higher Education Supplement	Oct. 1971-Dec. 1982

4. Locate appropriate reel of microfilm.

Reels are filed chronologically. In the above example of April 16, 1989, look in the drawer with the row labeled "THE TIMES (SUNDAY)
Jan. 1989 - Feb. 1990" and find the reel marked: April 1989.
 
 

An amusing part of using this index is determining the British spelling and terminology to be used.

Spelling: Be aware of British spelling variants such as "defence" for defense, "aluminium:" for aluminum, and "honours:" for honors.

Terminology : All index volumes since 1980 have a list of main subject headings in the front. This gives a general overview of their terminology, but is not an exhaustive list.

For articles on:               Use:

British auto industry       Motoring and motor industry
Alcoholism                     Drink, alcoholic
Soccer                            Football

Also, terminology changes over time:

1930                            1990
TURF                             HORSE racing
TELEPHONY, wireless    BROADCASTING

Book reviews are listed together under the headings:
 

BOOKS (titles and reviews)	1984-
BOOK reviews	1983
BOOKS	1973-1982
BOOKS reviewed and noticed	1942-1972
BOOKS	1930-1941
PUBLICATIONS reviewed and noticed	1906-1929
BOOKS OR REVIEWS	1790-1905
BOOKS	1785-1789

Obituaries are found under the headings:
       OBITUARIES (or individual’s name)      1986-
       Individual’s name                                1906-1985
       DEATHS (or individual’s name)            1790-1905
       Individual’ s name                               1785-1789

Movie Reviews are found under the headings:
       FILMS                      1963-
       CINEMATOGRAPH   1908-1962
       BIOSCOPE              1906-1907
 

Maintained by Julene Sodt
Last Update 8/2003