southtyneside.info

Based at the Central library in South Shields, the Local Studies Library is a well-used service, and recieves enquiries from around the world from people searching for family history or local information. Our services are used by many different people, including those tracing their family history, students with projects and people interested in the photographic collections.

Architects, builders and those wishing to trace the history of a property also use the resources of the library, for as well as maps we hold the Building Control Index for South Shields and local directories which help to build up a picture of South Tyneside both today and yesterday.

We have a wide range of resources to assist with your search including: books, pamphlets, videos, posters, maps, photographs, microfiche and microfilm.

It is always advisable to phone local studies in advance on 0191 424 7860 to book a film reader and to ensure the specific records you require are available.

Parish Registers
A full list of the registers available.

Newspapers on Microfiche
A full list of the registers available.

Electoral Registers on Microfiche
A full list of the registers available.

Other useful links include...

Tomorrows History
Images and history of the North including South Tyneside, Beamish and the Film and TV Archive
>www.tomorrows-history.com

Bede's World
>www.bedesworld.co.uk

First edition Ordnance Survey Maps
>www.old-maps.co.uk

Northumberland Communities
A range of learning resource material that reflects Northumberland's heritage
>communities.northumberland.gov.uk

We have a large photographic collection comprising of over 10,000 historical photographs of the local area, shipping, war damage and the Jarrow March collection to name but a few.

>View a sample of the collection

Other sources available to assist you in your research include…

The South Tyneside Register Office
Has lots of information on genealogy, including how to request a Birth, Death or Marriage certificate with downloadable forms.
>www.southtyneside.info/communitysupport/register/genealogy/default.asp

Church of England church records, for South Tyneside and some other churches.

Census for 1841 to 1901 (inclusive) for South Tyneside

National 1901 Census Online
>www.1901census.nationalarchives.gov.uk

The Shields Gazette and other South Tyneside newspapers
The Gazette started in 1849
>www.southtynesidetoday.co.uk/

St Catherine's index from 1837 to 1997

Trade directories for Tyneside from 1828 to 1940

Ancestry.com
Family historians and Genealogists in South Tyneside now have free full access to Ancestry.com at any South Tyneside Library.

Please note that all archival material is housed with Tyne and Wear Archives and the Durham record office.

Public RecordOffice
Holds records of most Wills proved in England and Wales since 1858. All proved Wills and Grants of Representation are public records.
>www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

Family Records Centre
Covers England and Wales only. Holds indexes of births, marriages and deaths since 1837, legal adoptions since 1927 and Population census returns from 1841 to 1891.
>www.familyrecords.gov.uk/frc/

General Register Office
Responsible for registering all birth, marriages and deaths in England and Wales since 1837 and maintains a national archive.
>www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/

Probate Records
Search for and download a digital image of your ancestor's will.
>www.documentsonline.nationalarchives.gov.uk

ARCHON Directory
Local information resources listed by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, searchable by region.
>www.hmc.gov.uk/archon/

Parish registers
Before the start of civil registration, parish registers are the key source for records of baptisms, burials and marriages.
>www.familyrecords.gov.uk/topics/religious.htm

Probate records
Holds records of most Wills proved in England and Wales since 1858. All proved Wills and Grants of Representation are public records.
>www.pro.gov.uk/

For more information Telephone (0191) 424 7860