Local studies and local history
Are you interested in Derbyshire past, present or future?
Do you want to find out more about your community, research the history of your house or family? If so the local studies service is for you.
Local studies libraries collect information on:
- Towns and villages
- houses and buildings
- industries and organisations
- local individuals and families
- traditions, customs and folklore.
All Derbyshire libraries have a basic range of local history books you can borrow. Larger libraries have reference collections including local newspapers, census returns, maps and photographs for their local area. These reference collections are available, free of charge, for everybody to use.
There are also two major local studies collections at Chesterfield Library and County Hall, Matlock. Here specialist staff are always available to offer advice and assistance with your research.
County Hall Local Studies library opening times
The County Hall Local Studies library is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and one Saturday each month from 9.30am to 4pm.
Parish Register Microfilms
Please note that while the New Street premises of Derbyshire Record Office are undergoing refurbishment, microfilms of parish registers and wills are available at the Local Studies Library at County Hall. It is advisable to book a microfilm reader in advance on 01629 536579.
Online resources
Visit our websites to find out more about the history of Derbyshire and surrounding area.
- Peakland Heritage (opens in a new window)
- Picture the Past (opens in a new window)
- Derby Mercury newspaper
- Chesterfield Library Surname index (opens in a new window)
- Threads (opens in a new window)
- Re:Connaissance (opens in a new window)
- Online resources
Service Plan 2010-2014
View the Cultural and Community Services Department's Service Plan, including the library service, for 2010-2014 in the related documents section on this page.
Related documents
The following document is in Portable Document Format (PDF). You can download the PDF software for free from the Adobe website (opens in a new window)
