Local history resources

The following catalogues and websites are available for historians to use and most are available even when the record office is closed. Some of the websites require a Plymouth library card and pin number to use at home. Library cards can be obtained from any branch or main library.

Online catalogue - search for records

Our online catalogue can be searched to see details of the records we hold. In most cases these include the catalogue description of the records and not online access to them. Where records have been digitised, they can be found by using the online catalogue - database search section below.

• Online catalogue search

Access to Archives - search for records

Access to Archives is a national database of record office catalogues based at the National Archives at Kew in London. All of our online catalogues for records deposited with us before 2005 are listed in full on this site. Again, the catalogue provides a description of the records we hold and not online access to them.

• Access to Archives search

Online catalogue - online databases

A number of our collections have been digitised and they can be searched and viewed online.

One collection of great use to local historians is the city's building control plans (planning applications) dating from 1851. Plymouth has seen great changes over the years from the great expansion of homes in Victorian times to the demolition and rebuilding of the city centre following the blitz. All of these changes are recorded in the building control plans. The details of each application and some of the plans can be seen by using our online catalogue.

• Plymouth City Council, building control plans (planning applications) from 1851 to 1945
• We also have a guide to undertaking your own house history.

Another collection of great interest is the negatives of the Western Morning News and Plymouth Herald's news photographers. The collection contains in excess of 35,000 glass plate negatives, the earliest of which date from 1941. The images show all walks of life at the time and also cover major news events of the time. The catalogue entries and the images can be viewed using our online catalogue.

• Western Morning News and Plymouth Herald newspaper images from 1945

A second collection of photographs is currently being added to our online catalogue, having originally been housed in the Plymouth Local and Naval Studies Library. The images cover all aspects of life in Plymouth and contain many street scenes.

• Plymouth Local Studies images

School and hospital records databases

School and hospital records are very good sources of social history. They give a very good insight into the health and wellbeing of society in the past.

• School records information and index
• Hospital records information and database

19th Century British newspapers

The archives of 48 influential national and regional newspapers representing different political and cultural segments of the 19th century British society. You can access this website from home using your Plymouth library card.

• 19th Century British newspapers

Times Digital Archive

The complete digital edition of The Times (London) from 1785 to 1985. You can also access this website from home using your Plymouth library card.

• Times Digital Archive

Find out more about the Times Digital Archive.

Newsbank Newspapers

Full text articles from a range of local, national and international newspapers including the Plymouth Herald. You can also access this website from home using your Plymouth library card.

• Newsbank Newspapers

Find out more about Newsbank Newspapers.

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