Libraries Local and family history

The major centre for discovering Shropshire's history is Shropshire Archives.

Family history

All libraries provide free access to Ancestry.co.uk, British Newspaper Archive and also partial access to FindMyPast (most of Shropshire Parish Registers up to 1900). The Shropshire Family History Society encourages anyone interested in family history.

Local History

Resources available range from books, magazines and pamphlets in the smaller libraries to commercial directories, parish registers, old maps, photographs, newspapers and more in larger libraries. Local online resources include the Discovering Shropshire's History website .

Discover Shropshire Local History Centres

The centres are located at:

• Bishop's Castle Local History Centre
• Bridgnorth Library which houses the Bridgnorth Historical Collection
• Church Stretton Library
• Craven Arms Library
• Ludlow Library
• Oswestry Library which houses the Local Studies Collection and Welsh Collection
• Whitchurch Library, in association with Whitchurch Heritage Centre

*There is also a Local History Centre in Wellington, Telford and Wrekin.

Volunteers are available to help you get the most from the material available. Please refer to our Community Directory for information about local history groups. Don't forget to check the events list for the next session at the relevant library.