Local History Library and Family History

The Local History Library is based in Tam Dalyell House (formerly County Buildings) in Linlithgow High Street.

About the Local History Library

The Local History library is a reference library. Customers are welcome to come and carry out research independently, with no appointment necessary. We are unable to answer enquiries by telephone or email.

More than just history - find out what's on offer at the West Lothian Local History Library:

Photographs - 11,000 photos - some online at Flickr - Museums, Archives and Local History (opens new window)
Maps - c.1,100 maps. Search for them in the Main library catalogue (opens new window)
Newspapers are available to view on our microfilm readers - search the Local Newspaper Search (opens new window)
Books - some 10,000 books - search them in the Main library catalogue (opens new window)
Family history resources - censuses, OPRs, MIs, etc.
Valuation and Voters' Rolls from1855.

Family History Research

West Lothian Local History Library is the best starting point for your family history research. A wide range of resources is held that will help you trace your family tree, and our books, photographs and old maps will help you fill in the background of your ancestors' lives in West Lothian.

valuation rolls 1855 to the present
voters' rolls 1869 to the present
census records 1841-1901
local newspapers dating back to 1873, searchable in the newspaper index (opens new window)
index to birth, marriage and death notices in the West Lothian Courier 1873-1930
old parish records
pre-1855 monumental inscriptions (MIs)
International Genealogical Index for Scotland and Ireland (IGI)
poll and hearth tax records, 1690s
index to the 1891 census for all of Scotland
some kirk session records
Confirmations and Inventories 1876-1933 for Scotland (summaries of wills)
sources of information on First World War casualties

The West Lothian Family History Society (opens new window) holds a drop-in service to help with your enquiries at the Local History Library on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

West Lothian Archives also holds some family history sources: