Local studies
Coventry Libraries stock a selection of local interest titles, and you can find them by searching the online catalogue, but the 'local studies collection' is now held with Coventry Archives.
Coventry Archives opened in 2008 when the resources of Coventry Record Office and the local studies collection held at Central Library were brought together under one roof. It is a treasure trove of information on the history of Coventry and its citizens from medieval times to the present.
The vast range of original documents includes books, maps, newspapers, electoral registers and building plans. Photographs, oral history, microfilms, and internet sources provide further evidence on the history of the city and the people who have lived here.
Whether you are researching for school or college projects, university dissertations, family history or just want to know more about the history of your house, Coventry Archives is an invaluable free resource and an essential destination.
Online resources
In addition to the physical collections, there is a range of online resources that you can access from anywhere with an internet connection. Here are some examples of local interest websites and digital repositories that you can explore:
- Coventry City Council. The Coventry City Council’s local history and heritage page provides information about the city’s rich history, including its archives, historic buildings, and local history societies.
- Coventry Information Directory is a comprehensive online directory of services, activities, and events in Coventry, designed to help residents find information about local support and resources. Search for ‘history’ to find local history groups and societies.
- Coventry Digital is an online repository managed by Coventry University. It holds images, documents, videos and audio from major city institutions such as the Council, Belgrade Theatre, universities and Culture Coventry. It is searchable and configured to support the needs of partners.
- Coventry Atlas offers an interactive online map that allows users to explore the city’s history, heritage, and culture through a collection of photographs, documents, and stories. Discover fascinating maps, building plans, streets of interest, pre-war drawings and photographs of places and people of Coventry, from medieval times to 2021 to uncover a city of riches.
- Coventry Collections is an online archive catalogue that allows users to search and discover Coventry’s rich history through its collections of photographs, documents, and artifacts.
- Historic Coventry Trust is an entrepreneurial heritage development trust which aims to bring new life to the city’s heritage, finding innovative ways to sustain historic places and to inspire, involve and connect people with the city’s history.
Library e-resources - Available for free when accessed via a library PC
- Findmypast is a UK-based online genealogy service that provides access to a large collection of historical records and family trees to help people discover their family history.
- Ancestry (library edition) is a free version of Ancestry.com, providing access to billions of historical documents, photos, and other resources from the 1500s to the 2000s, with extensive coverage of the UK and other areas.