Please contact us in advance about donations. We have restricted space and are unable to accept large donations without previous agreement. See our collection development policy at the bottom of the page.
Browse our three largest collections
Family history research
All Cambridgeshire libraries have free access to the British Newspaper Archive, as well as Find My Past and Ancestry for censuses 1841-1911, the 1939 Register, the General Registry Office (GRO) index and much more. Ancestry also now includes electoral registers and poll books for Cambridgeshire.
Our main libraries will also have a selection of the following:
- Trade directories, newspapers and maps
- Local family history society publications
You can search for a certificate dated after July 1837 online through Certificates and family history.
House history
You may be able to find an old photo of your house or see who lived there in the past using the census or street directories.
We also have a collection of sales particulars for Cambridge and villages in Cambridgeshire.
Research service
If you are unable to visit Local Studies to carry out your own research or you just need some extra assistance, our team can help. We can search through any records we hold that are relevant to your research to save you time during your visit. We can also arrange for copies of relevant records to be sent to you by post.
| Time | Charge |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | Free |
| 1 hour | £38 |
| 1 hour 30 minutes | £56 |
| 2 hours | £76 |
| Each additional 30 minutes | £18 |
Contact us to enquire abut our research service at cambridgeshire.collection@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Picture Cambridgeshire
Picture Cambridgeshire is a collection of digital images from the Local Studies department of Cambridgeshire Libraries. We are adding new images every month, so please visit again to discover what has been added over time.
The collection includes a wide variety of images. These include studio portraits, photographs of buildings, tourist images and art photography.
You can search the collection by going up to Options on the top left corner and selecting “Refine results”. This allows you to search for specific locations, photographers or streets. Please note that this is only a small selection of our extensive picture collection. If you are having difficulty finding a particular image, please get in touch and we will be happy to help.
If you would like to reproduce or use any of our photographs, please contact us for advice on permissions, licensing requirements and any applicable fees. This includes use for commercial purposes.
If you have any questions, please contact us on 01223 699755 or email cambridgeshire.collection@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
Our collection development policy
The Local Studies Collection Development Policy outlines how we select material to collect and preserve.
