Manx National Heritage has secured a temporary fix to keep its online newspaper archive available after access was due to end this week.

The organisation confirmed on Tuesday afternoon (October 13) that users would be able to continue searching and viewing the archive on its existing platform while work continues on a longer-term solution.

In an update on Tuesday, the organisation said it had now successfully established a temporary fix which would allow short-term access to remain available.

It said this would give it more time to develop plans for a secure and sustainable long-term service over the coming months.

The archive contains more than 400,000 digitised newspaper pages covering 42 titles, with editions dating back to 1792. It provides access to more than 150 years of the island’s newspaper history and is used by researchers, historians, journalists and family historians.

The original announcement that online access could end prompted widespread concern, with people highlighting the archive’s importance for researching the Island’s history and tracing family connections.

MNH said the level of public interest had been extraordinary.

‘We have received countless messages from researchers, family historians and supporters both on and off the island, highlighting the importance of this resource,’ it said.

The organisation added that it was extremely grateful to those who had offered support, assistance and encouragement, and thanked users for their patience while work continued to secure the archive’s future.

Although the temporary fix means the archive remains accessible for now, a permanent solution has yet to be confirmed.

The issue relates to online access rather than the loss of the historical material itself. MNH continues to hold and preserve the underlying digital data, while original newspaper editions remain part of the national collections.

Researchers can also consult historical newspapers at the Manx Museum’s library and archives in Douglas.