Local and Family History in your Library
Discover Local History in your Library
If you are interested in local and family history your local library is a good place to start your research. The type of resources available depends on the size of the library, but many local libraries have a small local history collection, which may include books and pamphlets about the town or village (sometimes these are written by local historians), copies of the History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham by Robert Surtees and other standard local history books. Libraries may also have old photographs and newspaper cuttings files. Many of the local history resources in libraries are single copy books and can only be used in the library. In addition we provide books giving advice on tracing family history and starting research.Libraries also sell a number of local history publications including those in our popular Memories series; you can discover more about the books available for sale by visiting our Online Shop. Many of these books can also be borrowed from your local library.
Libraries are also involved in a number of local history projects which can give you the opportunity to learn more about the history of our area.
Your library will have information about local history groups in your area. This can also be found on your Community Information Online. Many local history groups meet in their nearest branch library.
Although many of our libraries hold only a small collection of local history information, more resources are available in the County Record Office and in Durham Clayport library.
Durham Clayport Library
The reference section in Durham Clayport Library holds many useful and fascinating sources of information about people and places in County Durham, especially the northern reaches. Some resources are of special interest to family historians, others are useful for people looking at places and events.Local History Resources
- Books and pamphlets: the local studies collection includes over 10,000 books, pamphlets, articles and newspaper cuttings.
- Maps: available at various scales covering Durham City and the surrounding area. Ordnance survey maps from 1860, 1898 and 1923 (covering Durham County) are available on our computer database, the Durham Record and we also have a small collection of old original maps.
- Local newspapers: copies of the Durham County Advertiser (1814-2001) and the Durham Chronicle (1820-1951) are available on microfilm. We also have a newspaper cuttings file which contains articles of local interest.
- Photographs: our computer database, the Durham Record, holds a collection of over 10,000 photographs dating from around 1860 to the present day.
- Trade Directories: our collection of local and business directories covers County Durham and Northumberland for various dates from 1827-1994
Family History Resources
- General Register Office Index (known as the St Catherine's House Index): civil registration of births, marriages and deaths began in 1837 in England and Wales. The GRO produces an index to these records which is available in Durham Clayport library on microfiche.
- Census Records: national Censuses have been taken every ten years since 1841. However full census details are not released until 100 years later, so 1901 is the latest one available. Durham Clayport Library has microfiche and microfilm copies for the Historic County of Durham for 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901.
- International Genealogical Index (IGI): this index, available on microfiche, compiled by the Church of the Latterday Saints, gives details of births, deaths and marriages taken from parish registers all over the country
- Parish Registers: Durham Clayport library has some parish registers in printed format or on microfiche. However, a larger selection is available at the Durham County Record Office.
- Ancestry Library Edition: Durham Clayport Library has a subscription to Ancestry Library. Book now to use this resource for free. It covers the census, GRO index and other useful resources for family history.
