Local archives are sometimes called local history centres or county record offices or something similar. They will hold primary sources on many aspects of the local and community life of a particular area and will include parish records (vestry minutes), maps (tithe maps, parish maps, ordnance survey maps etc), records of local societies and charities (secular and religious), local newspapers, census returns, visual material (photographs and drawings), oral testimony, diaries and journals of local individuals, local government papers, records of local businesses, legal records etc.
Not all local archives will hold every type of material so check the website and search the online catalogue if there is one. If you are planning to visit a particular archive in person, this is essential and it is always a good idea to contact the staff to let them know what you wish to consult to make sure that it is available before you go. Be aware that not everything held by local archives will necessarily have been catalogued and staff may be able to produce uncatalogued material.
The National Archives hold a a very large amount of documents relating to Local History. Some documents are available online and some may be downloaded for a fee.
You will also find In-depth research guides on researching people, places and subjects.
The Manorial Documents Register gives details of where manorial records can be found.
Newspapers are a very useful source for Local History. You can access these newspaper databases from the PCs in the Library or any other PC on the University network. If you have a University card, you can access them from any internet connection using your Single Sign On.
There are a large number of subscription primary sources available online. You can access these databases from the PCs in the Library or any other PC on the University network. If you have a University card, you can access them from any internet connection using your Single Sign On.
Many public libraries and local history centres provide access to local and family history databases such as Ancestry and Findmypast. These databases contain primary sources such as the census and local trades directories. Use the link below to find information about local public library services.
Most counties have at least one history society. As well as publishing journals about their counties, they often publish transcriptions of local records. The list below provides links to their websites.