I haven't seen any previous reference to this on a thread, so here goes.

I just discovered that the excellent Bodleian Library, Oxford (well known for their ballads site) have published, in facsimile, the first 3 series of Notes & Queries covering the period from 1849 to 1869. The later ones, from 1880 to 1900 approx have more folk information (including texts of mummers plays etc.) but what they've got so far is already a gem. Think of it as an earlier version of The Mudcat!

Happy hunting!
Ian