Local Studies Centres keep resources from the local area including historical newspapers, trade directories, parish records, burial records, census records, voter lists, photographs, and more.
Where are the Local Studies Centres in the borough?
Local Studies resources are held in the following centres:
- Heywood Library and Customer Service Centre - holds local records for the Heywood area.
- Middleton Library and Customer Service Centre - holds local records for the Middleton area.
- Local Studies Centre - holds local records for the Rochdale and Pennine areas.
What is in the Local Studies Collection?
Our Local Studies Collection is made up of local area materials, including:
- Census records
- Maps
- Newspapers
- Pamphlets
- Parish records
- Photographs
- Reference books
- Trade directories
Most of the items in the Local Studies Collection are listed on our online library catalogue but aren't available to reserve or borrow. You'll need to go to the Local Studies Centre to view the collection in person.
Tracing your family history
You can use Local Studies resources to help trace your family history.
You can also trace your family history by accessing birth, marriage and death certificates, census records, electoral records, war graves, wills and probate records.