Family history resources
The following catalogues and websites are available for family historians to use free of charge. Some of the websites can only be used in the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office and some 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.
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.
Online databases
A number of collections have been digitised and they can be searched and viewed online using the links below. These collections contain lots of names and can be used to help find records of your ancestors.
'All Search' family history index
A Plymouth based database for family historians which currently includes about one and a quarter million names. The database cannot be viewed online but can be viewed in our public search room or at events such as the annual family history day. Parts of the database can however be purchased on CD ROM.
Plymouth Coroners' records
Records of the Plymouth Coroner are available for family historians to use as part of their research. Records over 75 years old have no restriction on access and a list of the people listed in them is available. The reports cannot be viewed online but can be viewed in our public search room.
Plymouth school records
Records of Plymouth schools are available for family historians to use as part of their research. The main types of records which are of interest to researchers are log books, admission registers and an index of them is available (see below). There is no restriction on access to records that are over 100 years old. The registers cannot be viewed online but can be viewed in our public search room.
Find my past and the 1911 census
An online resource for family history research, which now includes records from Plymouth and West Devon Record Office. It also gives access to the UK General Register Office index of births, marriages and deaths from 1837; the UK censuses of 1841 to 1911 and UK outbound passenger lists from 1879 to 1960. The website can only be used for free in the Record Office or in any Plymouth Library.
Ancestry library edition
Another online resource for family history research. It gives access to the UK General Register Office index of births, marriages and deaths from 1837; the UK censuses of 1841 to 1901 and UK inbound passenger lists from 1879 to 1960. The website can only be used for free in the record office or in any Plymouth Library.
Find out more about Ancestry Library Edition.
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 also access this website from home for free using your Plymouth library card.
Times Digital Archive
The complete digital edition of The Times (London) from 1785 to 1985. You can also access this website from home for free using your Plymouth library card.
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 for free using your Plymouth library card.
Find out more about Newsbank Newspapers.
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
This website details over 55,000 biographies of notable Britons. You can also access this website from home for free using your Plymouth library card.
Find out more about the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
Cyberlibrary
For more information on sources for family history see the Cyberlibrary Family History page.
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