Are you interested in finding out more about the history of your area, or tracing your family tree?
If you want to find out about the local history of Bury and district, we can help you with a wide range of materials held in the Reference and Information Services (RIS) in Bury Central Library and the libraries at Prestwich, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, Whitefield, Unsworth and Tottington. Bury Archives holds original documents for Bury and district. All Bury Metro Libraries have a selection of books on the wider Lancashire /Greater Manchester area for reference and loan.
Enquiry service
Staff will be pleased to help visitors with specific information enquiries and show them how to use the catalogues to access suitable material. Enquiries can also be made to all Bury Metro Libraries by phone, letter, fax, e-mail (see Library contacts section below). Please note that staff cannot undertake a large amount of research work as we have many other duties to perform. Our policy is to spend only 15 minutes per enquiry, if the information given is precise. We cannot answer more than two queries from the same person in any 12-month period. If you should require further assistance see the How can I trace my family tree? section below for links to local and family history researchers.
How can I trace my family tree?
All the items listed above can help with family tree research in the local area. The leaflet: "I want to trace my family tree" will give you a basic introduction; it's available at all Bury Metro Libraries. For full details of family history resources in the Bury area see Routes, below. Family History Help Surgeries are held weekly in RIS on Thursdays between 10am and 12 noon. You do not need to book an appointment-just turn up. Should you need further assistance then please see our list of local and family history researchers (go to the local and family history researchers web page). We now also have access to Ancestry library edition. Ancestry library edition provides online access to a vast number of databases. These contain a variety of sources essential to family history research. Most importantly the site provides access to civil registration indexes (births, marriages and deaths) from 1837 - 2004 and census returns for England and Wales for 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901. Please note that while full census records can be viewed on this site civil registration certificates are not available. As the name suggests this service is available across the library network. Unfortunately we cannot offer remote access to this service outside our libraries. To access the service please go to the ancestry library edition web page.
What types of material are available for reference?
Routes: a guide to family history in the Bury area
This guide to family history sources has been written to assist those who are tracing their ancestors who have lived in and around the current area included in Bury Metropolitan Borough. It lists sources of information available in the local library and
archive services. Printed copies of Routes can be purchased from any Bury Council Library or Bury Archives. Alternatively, you may view this online from the links below.
The details of the local studies collections in Reference Information Services, Ramsbottom and Radcliffe are included in the library catalogue. Prestwich Library's local studies collection will be the next collection to be added. Go to the library catalogue.
Books and pamphlets
These form the basis of the collections housed in RIS at Bury Central Library and in larger branch libraries. Some materials are also available for loan and can be checked on the library catalogue.
Trade directories
Bury and district street and trade directories from 1771-1964 are available for reference in RIS. Various Manchester directories cover Bury and district in the Lancashire Collection in RIS. After 1964, telephone and other directories are available in RIS.
Newspapers and periodicals
The Bury Times is available in RIS on microfilm from 1855 up to the present day. There are 2 microfilm viewers, which must be booked in order to view the papers. Booking sessions are from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday, with an extra session on Wednesday 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. The Radcliffe Times (1899 onwards) is on microfilm at Radcliffe Library. The Prestwich & Whitefield Guide from 1921-26, 1946-1981 (incomplete) is held on microfilm at Prestwich Library, from 1982-2003 in paper format in RIS. See the Routes guide for information on other newspaper holdings. Various local periodicals are shelved with the main Local Studies Collection in RIS, and family history periodicals are shelved with the genealogy materials. RIS and larger branch libraries subscribe to the Bury and District Local History Society Journal, which is published twice a year. Copies can be purchased from all main libraries. Go to the Bury and District Local History Society web site.
Newspaper press cuttings files
Articles have been collected from local newspapers on local events, people, places, biographies, buildings, businesses, etc. The Bury Times cuttings file is held in RIS, Radcliffe Times cuttings in Radcliffe Library, and Prestwich & Whitefield Guide cuttings in Prestwich Library. Ramsbottom Library has press cuttings from the Rossendale Free Press and the Bury Times. These can be currrently be accessed by using card index files. Please note that the details from the index cards are being added to the library catalogue, as mentioned above.
Maps
Ordnance Survey maps of the Borough of Bury from the 1850 6 inch to 1 mile series up to the current 1:1250 series are available for reference in RIS and in larger branch libraries. A computerised mapping system covering the present day Borough of Bury is available for public use in RIS and Radcliffe Library.
Census returns
Microfilm/fiche copies of the Bury census 1841-1901 are available for consultation in the Genealogy area of Reference & Information Services. To view these you will need to book a microfilm/fiche reading machine. Booking times are daily from 10-1pm and from 1pm-4pm. Street indexes are available for all years. The 1841, 1851, 1861, 1891 and 1901 censuses are indexed by surname. The 1881 census has a surname index for the whole of Lancashire on microfiche. CD ROM versions of the 1881 and census for England and Wales are held in RIS, Ramsbottom and Prestwich Libraries. The 1891 Census for Lancashire is available at most libraries via the CD-ROM network. Ramsbottom Library also has the 1901 Census returns on microfiche for the Ramsbottom area. A gazetteer of place names listed on the Bury census can be found in Routes: a guide to family history in the Bury area. All years of the England and Wales Census can be accessed online in Bury Council Libraries, and vouchers for the 1911 Census are on sale in most libraries. Go to the ancestry library edition web page.
Parish registers
A wide range of parish and non-conformist registers is available on microfilm or as printed transcripts. A full description of holdings is listed in Routes: a guide to family history in the Bury area, price £3.50 (on sale in all Libraries).
Photographs
A new website is now available to search historical images of the area of Bury. The website supersedes what some library customers would know as Picture Memories. Bury Image Bank allows you to print images for your own research purposes or you can purchase photographic quality prints.
DVDs
There is a collection of local history DVDs which have been produced by the Bury Cine Society (go to the Bury Cine Society web site). All DVDs can be borrowed from most libraries or purchased in Reference and Infornmation Services.
International Geneaolocial Index (IGI)
The International Genealogical Index (IGI) for the whole of England is available on microfiche in Reference & Information Services. For online access to the IGI go to the Family History Internet Guide web page and refer to the 'Family search' link.
Making copies from materials.
- Photocopying. Please refer to library staff.
- Use of personal reprographics equipment. Personal reprographics equipment, including cameras and scanners may only be used by members of the public with prior authorisation. A self-service photography application must be completed and signed by the person making the copies and a copyright declaration form must be signed. Download the photography permit application form, (10Kb, 1 page, .pdf).
Local societies
Details of Local Family History and Local History Societies in Bury and district can be found by searching the Bury Community Contacts database. , and type in the search box the word "history". You will be given links to several local organisations.
Publications for sale
A large range of local and family history publications is on sale in Reference and Information Services, including maps, DVDs, videos and postcards. All Bury Council libraries have a selection of these items on sale. For a full list of what is available, please take a look at the go to the publications for sale web page.
Newsletter
Bury Archive Service in conjunction with Bury Libraries Reference and Information Service produce an occasional newsletter containing information on new resources and services on offer. Printed copies of these are available at Archives and all Bury Council libraries or you can download a copy from the Archives publications page.
Library contacts
Bury Reference & Information Services,
Central Library,
Manchester Road,
Bury,
Lancashire,
BL9 0DG.
Tel 0161 253 5871
E-mail information@bury.gov.uk
Archives contacts
Bury Archives Service
Moss Street
Bury BL9 0DG
Tel 0161 253 6782
E-mail: archives@bury.gov.uk
