Through North Yorkshire libraries and the North Yorkshire County Record Office, students and researchers at all levels and of all ages can investigate the background and significance of local and regional history.

The resources available include:

• access to local history websites using library computers;
• electoral rolls and poll books;
• help with genealogy and family history;
• historic local newspapers on microfilm;
• local census information;
• parish register records;
• property history; and
• trade directories;

We have also compiled information about a range of common subjects. These are summarised below and full details can be found in the local collections - frequently asked questions section.

Notable people from North Yorkshire

As an example of the type of information that historical research can reveal, we have compiled some biographical notes of notable men and women with connections to North Yorkshire.

Researching family history

Tracing your family history is an interesting and rewarding hobby. However, it can be difficult to know where to start. Also, if not tackled in the right way, it can be become very frustrating and often expensive. We have produced some guidance to family history research to help get you started.

Researching the history of a house

Researching the history of a house or other building can take you on a fascinating journey. We have produced some guidance on researching the history of a house to get you started and provide information for you to continue your search.

Poll books and other electoral records

Poll books are a published record of those people who voted in county elections along with details of which candidate or candidates they had voted for. They were introduced in 1696 and ceased after secret balloting was introduced by the Act of 1872.

Several libraries in North Yorkshire store poll books, along with the County Record Office in Northallerton. For a list of poll books and other electoral records that we hold and where they are located, see the poll books and electoral records page.

Historic local newspapers in North Yorkshire

Newspapers are a great source of information for the local historian. Libraries in North Yorkshire continue to collect and preserve local newspapers, including the free advertisers. The historic local newspapers page lists all the collections we hold, including major historical titles relevant to the area.

Contact information and available facilities

For contact information and available facilities please visit the local library pages or the Records and archives section.

Online archives Search through our catalogue of over 4000 summary descriptions from all our archive collections and item level descriptions of selected collections.