Local History

You can find a huge amount of information both on this web site and in Bedfordshire libraries to help you answer such questions and explore all aspects of Bedfordshire's past

What kind of resources give local history information?

• At the Local and family history A-Z you can discover the different types of resources available and where to find them
• You can keep up with new resources at What's new in local and family history

Where can I find Bedfordshire's local history online?

• At the People, Places and Subjects sections you can read articles on many topics and transcribed materials such as reminiscences and newspaper reports, and you can view digitised materials such as maps and photographs
• You can find many web sites on Bedfordshire's local history at the Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire towns and villages sections of the Gateway to the Internet

What local history information do the libraries have?

• Bedfordshire libraries aim to collect as wide a range as possible of published material relating to Bedfordshire life
• The two main library collections are the county local studies collection at Bedford Central Library and the Bedfordshire Heritage Library
• At all other Bedfordshire libraries you can find local studies materials on the library's local area. See Local studies by library for details
• Local history books are on the library catalogue. Click 'Search' then click 'Subject' and enter, for example, the name of a town or village.  For books on a specific topic, you can also choose to search by 'Keyword' and enter your specific words

How can I find more about local  history in general?

• For sites dealing with local history in general see the Gateway's Local history section
• For books on carrying out local history, see the library catalogue. Click 'Search' then click 'Subject' and enter the phrase local history

What other local history information sources are there in Bedfordshire?

• Bedfordshire Archives and Records Service, which collects and preserves original historic and modern written evidence, maps and plans for Bedfordshire, including Luton
• The Historic Environment Record, the key source of information on Bedfordshire's 18,000+ archaeological sites and historic landscape features, buildings and structures
• Bedford Museum and Luton Museums

Looking to join a local history organisation?

• Go to the local clubs database Infopoint and click 'Search' then click 'Subject'. From the drop-down menu click 'History - local history' for general societies, or click one of the headings that follows the general one to see societies for a specific town or village

Need some help?

• If you need help to find information, contact us

Bedfordshire libraries contact details and opening times