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Local studies and family history resources

Past into Present: Local and family history newsletter

We hope you will enjoy reading this newsletter and find it useful and informative. Many people in Calderdale are involved in researching local and family history or have an interest in reading about it. We hope this newsletter, which we aim to produce several times a year, will highlight some of the resources of the Library Service which you may not be aware of, as well as introducing groups active in the field and advertising events you might like to participate in.

If you have any queries, please contact us on 01422 392631 or e-mail: pauline.lancaster@calderdale.gov.uk.

19th Century Newspapers

We now have a new subscription to a wonderful online resource - 19th Century Newspapers.

This is a useful new resource for genealogists and anyone interested in history . The British Library have chosen a good selection of regional and national newspapers, representing 19th Century Britain. Articles can be printed and even emailed from the site. Searching is easy using the search box, or for more advanced research you can specify dates and newspapers from the resource.

Access is free in all Calderdale Libraries, or from your own home, at any time of day or night using our 24 Hour Library service!

To use at home simply go to www.calderdale.gov.uk/libraries then select 19th Century Newspapers . You will need your library card to access the site, just follow the onscreen instructions.

Did you know?

We now offer internet taster sessions on how to use Ancestry! 

• Are you new to researching your family tree?
• Never had a look at Ancestry?
• Not sure how to search?

Either call in to the Reference section of the Central Library Halifax, or phone us on 01422 392631 to book. Basic computer skills needed.

Local Interest

We have extended the Local History collection in Central Reference Library, Halifax, and renamed it Local Interest.

We have pulled together all our book stock with a local and Yorkshire flavour. So, if you are looking for anything with a local interest, this is the place!

Why not take a look at the extensive coverage of all things local - you will not be disappointed!

Brighouse Library

Brighouse Library has a new Local History room situated on the ground floor. Here you can find a variety of resources, from books to maps, plus Internet access to Ancestry, 19th Century newspapers and other relevant websites. The Brighouse Echo dating from July 1887, plus a selection of several other local historical newspapers are available on microfilm. We now have the facility for you to print articles from these.

There is a large collection of maps, dating from the 1850s up to the 1980s, covering Brighouse and district, in various scales. For further information, contact Brighouse Library on 01422 288060.

Calderdale Family History Society

Calderdale Family History Society has now returned to Brighouse Library.

All their facilities are now together in a newly refurbished room on the first floor, including internet access.

To see what is available go to Calderdale Family History Society| .

Research room opening times are:

• Tuesdays - 1.30pm to 4.30pm
• Thursdays - 10.00am to 1.00pm.

Members of the Society will be here at these times, to help you with your Family History queries.

Book recommendations

My ancestor was an Agricultural Labourer, by Ian H Waller.

This useful title starts with an interesting background to the labourers lives, including the social and economic conditions that shaped their existence. The second part of the book shows the relevant records that are available, and where to find them.

Illustrated throughout, this title is part of an extensive series of useful guides to tracing your family.

Other titles, by a different authors include:

• My Ancestor was a Coalminer
• My Ancestor was a Merchant Seaman
• My Ancestor was a Policeman.

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