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Reference Library
For members of Leicestershire Libraries. Online reference library for books and authors, reference books and dictionaries, access to research, business information and consumer advice, Driving Theory Test, and local and family history.
Local and Family History
At some libraries one-to-one and group taster sessions are available with volunteers and members of staff. Contact your library for details.
Family History
The following services provide access to UK Census records, military and armed forces records, emigration records and many other records.
Ancestry Library Edition (ALE)
- Login from a Leicestershire library
- Login from elsewhere isn't possible
Find My Past Library Edition
- Login from a Leicestershire library
- Login from elsewhere isn't possible
Local History
Leicestershire libraries have materials about the individual local history of a town or village, which are available on a self-serve basis. Some of it may not be on display so please ask a member of library staff. Loughborough library has a dedicated local search volunteer to provide assistance.
Major local studies collections are available at the following libraries:
Charges apply for some services, in line with Record Office pricing:
- Photocopying of reference stock (assisted): 50p per black and white A4 sheet, £1 per colour A4 sheet
- Photograph permit, 1 day: £7.50
- Research: 30 minutes £15, 1 hour: £25
British Newspaper Archive: Community Edition
Documents and records
- Record Office - extensive archives and full research services
- Order birth, marriage, death and civil partnership certificates for Leicestershire
- Order birth, marriage and death certificates for outside Leicestershire (G.R.O.)
- The First World War Poetry Digital Archive - free access
We welcome donations of items which record the life and history of Leicestershire and its people. These ensure that the collections continue to expand, and present day life becomes tomorrow's local history.