Heritage Services offers a portal to the rich cultural heritage of West Lothian. Use our services to gain access to informative historical resources, original historic records and a wide range of local history objects.
Local History
For local and family history, visit the West Lothian Local History Library in Linlithgow.
Books, maps and photographs
The library holds thousands of books, 1,100 maps and 12,000 old photographs covering all aspects of West Lothian's history and heritage.
Family History resources
The local history library offers family history resources for all West Lothian parishes. These include:
Valuation Rolls - 1855 to date.
Voters' Rolls - 1869 to date.
DVDs and CDs of local interest
The West Lothian Family History Society also offers a free advice service in the library on Wednesdays and Fridays between 11.30 and 4pm.
Local Newspapers
You can also access seven local newspapers covering 1873 to the present, and an Local newspaper index (opens new window) to the West Lothian Courier, the Linlithgow Gazette and the Midlothian Advertiser on the microfilm readers in the local history library. An online index is also available.
Archives
West Lothian Council Archives and Records Centre is responsible for preserving and making accessible records reflecting the history of both local government and the wider community in West Lothian.
The archival holdings date from the 16th century and include local authority records and private deposits comprising school records, Poor Law records, business records and estate papers.
The main collections include the records of West Lothian Council; West Lothian County and District Councils; Livingston Development Corporation; Linlithgow Incorporation of Wrights; Bob Wallace Negative Collection; and Bathgate Forge.
On-site visits are not currently available but enquiries can be made by email: archive@westlothian.gov.uk
Museums
West Lothian Council Museums Service cares for and displays a wide range of local history objects.
You can find displays in Community Museums in the libraries at Armadale, Blackridge, Broxburn and Whitburn. Temporary displays are also shown in Linlithgow Library, Lanthorn Library and West Calder Library.
The Museums Service creates a variety of touring exhibitions for all the Community Museums. Recent topics include Gala Days, Winners, Railways, National Service and the First World War.
Displays are produced with individuals and local interest groups as well as national institutions such as the National Museum of Scotland, Workers Educational Association and the British Geological Survey.
From the Museum office and stores we offer outreach services to the community including object handling sessions in schools, heritage events in libraries and reminiscence loan boxes to day and residential centres for older people.
An important part of our work is to support and complement the work of West Lothian's independent museums and heritage attractions at Bathgate, Linlithgow and Livingston.
