Local studies

• Maps
  There is a large collection of historical Ordnance Survey maps covering the Kirklees area from 1843 onwards. Copy Tithe maps are also available and some earlier printed maps, including Jeffrey's Yorkshire of 1778.
• Newspapers
  Copies of local newspapers are held on microfilm. Some of the local newspapers date back to the 19th century. These include the Batley News, Colne Valley Guardian, Dewsbury Reporter and the Huddersfield Examiner. The library also holds an incomplete run of the Leeds Mercury which was an 18 th century newspaper.
• Photographs
  A visual record of the local area is maintained in the library's large photographic and postcard collection. Access to the collection has been greatly improved since the introduction of the Kirklees Digital Archive. From a touch screen, it is now possible to view and order copies from a selection of over 40,000 images. Some of the images may be viewed on the internet at www.kirkleesimages.org.uk.
• Trade directories
  A valuable source of information for those wishing to research local businesses.The earliest directory in the collection dates from 1819 and the larger Kelly's Post Office directories also include lists of private residents.
• Archives
  Everyone produces archives. We all write letters, do business, keep accounts, take photographs. These are all evidence of our daily lives. People in the past did these things too and many of their archives are preserved in the five offices of the West Yorkshire Archive Service. Records of families, firms, schools, churches and local authorities are among the thousands of documents available for use. Further information relating to our service can be viewed at www.archives.wyjs.org.uk

• Census
  Census returns for the Kirklees area are available from 1841 to 1901.The national census for 1901 is available on the internet at www.1901census.nationalarchives.gov.uk. The library also holds the 1881 Census Index for Yorkshire .
• Parish records
  West Yorkshire Parish and Chapel records are available, together with the cemetery records for Kirklees.
• I.G.I.
  The Library holds the I.G.I for Yorkshire , but in order to search other regions information can be found by viewing the web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at www.familysearch.org. This site also has the 1881 Census for the British Isles.
• G.R.O INDEX (also known as St Catherine's Index)
  This is the national index of Births, Marriages and Deaths. The library holds records from 1837, when civil registration came into being, up to 1999.
• Ancestry
  This website has a wealth of information for family historians including all Census records form 1841-1901 and Birth, Marriage and Burial Indexes from 1837 - 2004. All Kirklees Library and Information Centres now have free access to the Ancestry website at www.ancestrylibrary.com.