Home | Learning | Libraries | Reference and Information Services: an introduction | Family history

Family history

The Genealogical Collection provides resources for anyone wishing to trace a family tree and guidance on records and information held elsewhere.

It can be found within the Historical Collections area on the second floor of the Central Library.

The following important indexes are available on microfilm or fiche:

• Indexes to births, marriages and deaths (England & Wales) 1837-2000
• International Genealogical Index (I.G.I.) to baptisms and marriages 1538 onwards
• National Probate calendars (wills) 1858-1943
• Census Returns
  • Portsmouth & SE Hampshire, 1841-1901 (microfilm/fiche)
  • 1881 (Great Britain) on CD-ROM
• Census Indexes, transcripts for 1881, Hampshire, Sussex, Wiltshire, Dorset, Berkshire, Royal Navy

The book collection is extensive and includes guides to using records and constructing a family tree, Army and Air Force Lists, Clergy Lists, books about the Census, Domesday Book, Genealogical periodicals, place and personal names, heraldry, peerages, Coats of Arms, Commonwealth War Graves Commission Lists.

Visitors to the Collection are asked to show one of the following to staff when they arrive:

• Portsmouth Library Ticket
• County Archive Research Network Card (CARN)
• Current Student card
• Armed Forces ID Card
• Driving License
• Other official proof of name and address

We accept enquiries in person (see Central Library page under Internal Links) or by:

• Telephone:
  • Enquiries: 023 9268 8046
  • Fiche/Film reader bookings: 023 9268 8045
• Fax: 023 9283 9855
• Email to: reference.library@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Postal research service

While library staff will check resources in the Historical Collections at Portsmouth Central Library free of charge for up to half-an-hour, we also offer a comprehensive research service.  For a fee, payable in advance, we can undertake up to three hours research in the many sources held in the Historical Collections, including:

• Births, marriages and deaths indexes
• Wills indexes
• International Genealogical Index
• Directories
• Electoral registers
• Census returns
• Newspapers
• Army/Navy/Air Force lists
• Illustrations
• Maps
• and books about places and subjects in Hampshire, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight

Many requests for searches are from family historians, but the same service is available to those requesting research in local history.

For further details or to download an application form to request this research service, please navigate to the Reference and Information Services page under 'Internal links'.

Family History Drop In Sessions

Central Library is now offering you the chance to sample some of the important family history websites now available. Experienced staff will be available to help you with any questions.

Sessions take place in the IT suite on the second floor every Monday afternoon from 2.15pm to 4pm and Wednesday morning from 10am to 12 noon.

For further information call Tel: (023) 9268 8045