Local Studies
The Local Studies Service provides current and historical information on all aspects of Aberdeen and the surrounding area.
Resources in our Collection
Books and Pamphlets:
Our bookstock ranges from sixteenth century early printed books to the latest local publications and covers the whole spectrum of local studies:
- Parish and local histories
- Biographies and family history
- Education, literature and architecture
- Local authority minutes and development plans
- Electoral and valuation rolls
Newspapers and Periodicals:
Historic newspapers are available on microfilm. View or download our leaflet on Newspaper Holdings (PDF 2.4M)
- A newscuttings file covering both people and topics was maintained for many years.
- Various local periodicals, both historical and current, are held, such as The Deeside Field, Leopard Magazine, Northern Scotland and Roustabout.
Directories:
We hold a complete file of the Aberdeen Post Office Directory 1824-1982 and the Aberdeen Almanac 1753-1933 (early years incomplete), succeeded by the Northern Year Book 1934-1952.
Maps:
We have a series of maps and street plans of the City, dating from 1661, with harbour, estate and railway plans for North East Scotland. In addition, we hold an extensive range of current and historical Ordnance Survey sheets for the same areas.
Family History Resources:
Sources available for consultation include:
- Old Parish Registers of baptisms, marriages and deaths up to 1854 for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Banffshire and Kincardineshire on microfilm
- Census returns 1841-1901 for the same areas on microfilm
- Microfiche indexes to baptisms and marriages
- International Genealogical Index 1992 edition for Scotland arranged by counties
- Published family histories
- Transcripts of a number of Episcopal Church records and local monumental inscriptions
ScotlandsPeople Public Library Voucher Scheme
Aberdeen City Libraries can now offer customers a discounted rate to access the ScotlandsPeople website. The website is the official government source for genealogical data for Scotland. It provides access to most of the Statutory Registers of births, marriages and deaths from 1855, the Old Parish Registers prior to 1855, Census Records from 1841 to 1901 and Wills & Testaments up to 1901.
Instead of registering online and purchasing 30 credits for £6.00 to view search results and images, library customers can now purchase £6.00 Starter Vouchers to get 60 credits or £4.80 Top-up Vouchers to get 30 credits. Vouchers are now available for sale in the Information Centre in the Central Library. Information Centre staff can also help customers to use their vouchers and advise them on how to search the records on the website. For more information, contact Local Studies (Contact details at bottom of page)
View Scotland's People website
Ancestry Library Edition is now available free on the PCs in the Information Centre of the Central Library. Ancestry is one of the most popular family history websites, offering access to billions of names and thousands of searchable databases. The collections cover mainly the United States but also other countries, including Scotland. The collections include historical records, stories & publications, photographs & maps, family trees & messages boards and charts & forms. Search hints and tips are also available to help you use the website.
Photographs:
Local Studies holds an extensive collection of historical photographs covering buildings, streets and harbour scenes in the City.
Special collections include:
- George Washington Wilson Archive
- A comprehensive record of air-raid damage suffered by Aberdeen during World War Two
- A unique collection of fishing vessels including herring drifters and steam trawlers
Appeal for photographs:
We are always happy to receive donations of photographs and postcards covering Aberdeen and the surrounding area. (Originals can be copied and safely returned).
Local Studies Catalogue
- Books and pamphlets added to stock since 1993 can be found using the Library catalogue.
- However, a large majority of the stock is still only listed in the card catalogue within the Department.
- We are undertaking a retrospective cataloguing and re-classification project of Local Studies material to improve accessibility. Until the project is concluded there will be a number of sequences on the open shelves, particularly in the Dewey classification area numbers 914 and 941. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Please do not hesitate to consult the Local Studies staff for assistance if you cannot locate items.
- Advance notification is required for certain items of stock and visitors are advised to telephone first
Publications
We produce a selection of postcards of historic views of the City. Price 30p each.
"Aberdeen Remembered" (a Stenlake publication featuring historic images from our photographic archive) can be purchased from the library or local bookshops. Price £7.50. Please add £1.00 p&p for copies to be posted. Cheques should be in sterling and made payable to "Aberdeen City Council".
Selections of the Month
Photographs and Advertisements selected each month by members of the Local Studies team.
View here: Selections of the Month August 08
Exhibitions
| The Local Word and Image The exhibition will run in Provost Skene’s House, Aberdeen from 17 November 2007 until 25 October 2008 and the displays will be changed around to reflect the wealth of material held in the collections. The second phase of the exhibition includes some examples of Raban's successors, namely James Brown, John Forbes and members of the Chalmers family. In addition there are a number of "Chapbooks" from the nineteenth century, printed by J. Cumming, Fintray. The content of chapbooks varied from sermons, songs and poems to romances and legends.
The exhibition also recognises the importance of Aberdeen to the history and development of Scottish newspapers. On display are the "Aberdeen Journal" 1758 and a rare copy of the “Aberdeen Intelligencer” dated 30 July – 6 August 1754 which rivalled the Journal for a number of years. Links to related websites: |
The Local Word and Image
|
Aberdeen's Trams
Presently on view in the Information Centre is an exhibition of photographs, facsimiles and artefacts marking the 50th. Anniversary of the end of trams in Aberdeen. Click on Information Centre Exhibitions for more information.
Facilities
Enquiries:
We will undertake a limited amount of research for letter, e-mail and telephone enquiries.
Photocopying:
Photocopying is permitted if the condition of the original is sufficiently good.
Copyright restrictions will apply to some material.
Microfilm Readers/Printers
Copies can be made from material held on microfilm.
We do not operate an advance booking system for the microfilm readers but during busy periods, sessions will be limited to 1 hour maximum
Charges:
View or download List of Charges (PDF)
Computer Access:
Dedicated PCs provide access to websites relating to family history and local studies information sources. Access is free but print-outs cost 20p per A4 sheet (B&W or colour).
Photographic Reproduction:
We can supply photographic copies from our collection of photographs and illustrations.
Price List for Photographic and Digital Copies
| SIZE | FORMAT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 8 x 6 | Black/white print | £3.00 |
| 10 x 8 | Black/white print | £4.00 |
| 12 x 10 | Black/white print | £5.00 |
| A4 | Digital print | £6.00 |
| A3 | Digital print | £12.00 |
| Scan to CD | TIFF file | £2.50 per image scanned + £3.00 per disc |
Written permission must be obtained for the reproduction of any historical images, and a Reproduction Fee is normally payable.
Opening hours
Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 8.00pm
Friday and Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Location
Local Studies is located within Information Services on the first floor of the Central Library, Rosemount Viaduct, at the east end of the building. It is fully accessible to disabled visitors via the lift and ramped entrance.
The Central Library is located on Rosemount Viaduct, at the end of Union Terrace, adjacent to St Mark's Church and His Majesty's Theatre. It is approximately 10-15 minutes' walk from the railway station. Car parking facilities are available at the rear of the building at the Denburn Car Park, Skene Street. Charges apply.
There is a café, ' 'The Quiet Cup,' located within the Media Centre, open Monday Saturday 10am 4pm.
Contact Details
Aberdeen Library and Information Services:
Local Studies,
Central Library,
Rosemount Viaduct,
Aberdeen City Council.
AB25 1GW.
Tel: 01224 652512
Fax: 01224 624118
LocalStudiesLibrary@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Please remember to include your full name and postal address in any e-mail enquiry to assist us should we need to send you copies of relevant material.
Local and family history related websites
