The history of our collection

We have one of the UK’s largest and oldest collections of printed and manuscript material relating to Derby and Derbyshire, originally formed from two outstanding private libraries.

The 7th Duke of Devonshire donated over 2,000 books and pamphlets from his private collection, which the Borough of Derby accepted in 1879. The second library, formed for the owner of a Derby printing company, Sir Henry Howe Bemrose, was acquired by public subscription in 1914. The Derby Free Library was extended to house these collections in 1914 and they inspired the Library Committee to make the topography and literature of Derbyshire an important speciality of the library service. These specialised collections have been built on ever since. Today we continue expanding on this wealth of local studies material, with the objective of representing all aspects of Derby and its communities.

Sample contents of our collection:

Books and Journals

Over 60,000 items including publications by local authors, groups and societies. Specialist histories of Derby and Derbyshire and current council publications. Three catalogues and a superb index in the Study Room, provide access to this part of the collection.

Broadsheets

A collection of approximately 3,500 broadsheets covering many subjects including religious events, church services, entertainment, race meetings and fairs. These date mostly from the 19th century and are all listed to help you with your search.

Cemetery Records

If your family has a long-standing connection with a particular village in Derbyshire or a particular Derby parish, you might find memorials in the local churchyard. The library holds a number of transcripts. For Local Authority Burials we have cemetery records for Derby available on microfilm.

Census and Statistics

We have statistical information for the county for 1801-1991, and the census enumerators returns for 1841 -1901 are available on microfilm. The enumerator’s returns cover the whole county and a village index and street index for Derby help make access easier. Name indexes are also provided for 1841, 1881 and 1891.

Electoral Registers

The Library has a small collection of Poll books for Derby, earliest 1710, and for Derbyshire, earliest 1734. We have electoral registers for Derby covering 1843-2009.

GRO Index

The General Register Office Index, previously called the St Catherine's House Index, is an index of births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales from 1837-2005. Available on microfiche.

Local Newspapers

A large number of local newspapers are available on microfilm dating from the 1720's through to present day. The library’s subject and name indexes, available in the Study Room, include many references to help you access newspaper articles. Local newspapers are a useful source for all kinds of historical projects from family trees to village, church, club and sporting histories.

Manuscripts and Deposits

This extensive range includes various Family Papers, Business and Company Records, Poor Law Records, Derby Borough Council Records, Title Deeds, Chap Books and many manuscripts items, all of which are included in the catalogues.

Maps and plans

County maps date from 1577 and maps for Derby date from 1610. All scales of Ordnance Survey are represented including the 1880 first edition large scale for Derby and Derbyshire.

Parish Registers

Microfilm copies and transcripts are available here.  View a list of our holdings.  (1.32MB)

Periodicals

Coverage includes local society newsletters, parish magazines, local and family history and county magazines.

Photographs, Illustrations and Engravings

A collection of over 16,000 photographs, covers the whole county with special emphasis on Derby, dating from the late 19th century to the present. There is a significant collection of glass negatives dating from the 19th century, some by Richard Keene, the well-known Derby photographer. Card indexes to the collections are available and many of the images are now digitised and can be viewed on Picture the Past.

Rate Books

A number of rate books for Derby parishes beginning in 1840 and continuing up to the 1960s. These list owners, occupiers, addresses and the rateable value of the property.

Taxation Records

Land tax records are available at Derby Local Studies Library on microfilm. These show lists of owners and occupiers with a description of the property. Hearth Tax returns for Derbyshire 1662-1670 have been printed and show names of residents in a particular parish with numbers and hearths.

Trade Directories

A small selection of original local directories are available in the Study Room. However, there is a comprehensive coverage of directories on microfiche for Derby and Derbyshire from 1808 to 1977. After this date, telephone and other classified directories are available to help.

Catalogues

A search of the catalogues and indexes in the Study Room may lead you to other, less obvious, items to help with your research.