Paper short abstract:

This paper explores Baltic Sea Porpoise using Finnish and Swedish newspaper archives, examining their historical distribution from the late 19th century to the 1960s.

Paper long abstract:

In this paper, I delve into the manifold ways in which newspaper archives can provide invaluable source material for cultural historical research. The presentation encompasses two compelling case studies that shed light on the subject matter. Firstly, I explore the utility of newspaper archives as a qualitative research tool, offering insights into my perceptions of the porpoise as gleaned from textual content. This research uncovers a rich tapestry of my own cultural interpretations regarding the presence of porpoises and other marine mammals. The archive reveals diverse discourses that portray the porpoise as a spectacle, a resource, and an object of both wonder and scrutiny. This investigation is firmly grounded in my own textual analysis and harnesses digital methods as integral research tools.

Secondly, I underscore the potential for quantitative research employing newspaper archives. In this research model, observations concerning porpoises are systematically organized into structured data tables, with a specific emphasis on geospatial information. These data are then translated into maps and vectors, visually elucidating the research findings. My study aims to demonstrate how digital newspaper archives can be harnessed to study species that are on the brink of extinction or already endangered. Additionally, I emphasize the invaluable contribution of historical newspaper archives in enriching our comprehension of environmental history.