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Local history

There is plenty of information available to help you research Southampton's local and family history.

Research resources

History of your house or street: This document gives you a wide range of sources are available in the library and archives for researching these aspects of local history.

Family history: Resources that can help you research your family origins

Local trades and professions: This document gives you a large range of sources from the medieval period to the present.

Historic maps: Information about historic maps of Southampton and where to find them, including online maps.

Plimsoll: Plimsoll is a digital maritime archive.

Oral history: An archive of interviews and projects recording the history of local communities in Southampton.

Historic Environment Record (HER): A database of information about historic buildings, monuments and places in Southampton, as well as archaeology.

Areas of special interest

Where to go for research - our archives and collections

Local Studies and Maritime Library: access books, periodicals, newspapers, directories, maps and illustrations. Sources are reference only, but others in the main library collection can be borrowed. There is study space and staff available to answer enquiries.

Archives: for a wide range of original (rather than printed) sources on Southampton, dating from 1199 onwards. All the material is for reference only and must be consulted in the reading room.

Maritime and local collections: these collections include objects that show how people lived, dressed, worked, travelled and entertained themselves. There are substantial collections of photographs, paintings, drawings and prints.

Other resources