Local Studies Collection

South Tyneside has a rich heritage. As a Borough we may be small, but our history is fascinating and has played a major role in regional, national and even world history.

The Local Studies Collection at The Word, National Centre for the Written Word in South Shields, provides a good starting point to find out about the heritage of the local area.

Maps, photographs, directories, local newspapers and news cuttings, family history sources, as well as books and pamphlets and expert staff provide the means to travel back in time.

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.