Local Studies

The Local Studies collection may help you with your family history research or finding out about the history of your house. Luton Central Library has a large collection of books, pamphlets, cuttings, microfilm and microfiches on the history and development of Luton and Bedfordshire. There is also limited coverage of the neighbouring counties of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The collection includes local newspapers on microfilm going back to 1874, and there are copies of local parish registers on microfiche, as well as the census returns for Luton from 1841.

There is a small collection of photographs illustrating the history of Luton, but we regret we are unable to make copies of these. There is a larger collection of photographs available at Luton Museum.

Luton Local Studies has a large number of local and county maps showing how the town has grown and changed over the past 150 years. Some of the maps are large scale and show the outline of individual properties.

You may also see the International Genealogical Index on microfiche, or access it via the PCs in the library. As long as you are a library member with a pin number, you may have 60 minutes free to explore the wide range of web sites on local and family history that may help you with your research. Luton Libraries now have a subscription to Find My Past, a major resource for people researching family history which can be accessed in any Luton Library.