Local & Family History
We hold a wide range of records to aid your local and family history research including Genealogy websites you can access free from any of our library branches.
Find My Past
Search birth marriage & death records, censuses, and family trees at your local library.
Newspapers and periodicals
These are available in bound volumes and/or on microfilm:
- Stornoway Gazette
- Highlands News (West Coast Edition)
- West Highland Free Press
- Gairm
- Eilean an Fhraoich Annuals
- Nicolson Institute Annuals
- Am Paipear
Historical Records
We hold records such as the Old Parochial Registers (records of christenings and marriages prior to 1855), Census Returns from 1841 to 1901, School Log Books, Croft Histories by Bill Lawson, the Seaforth Monuments documents, and Rental and Valuation Rolls.
Maps
Stornoway Library hold Ordnance Survey maps of various scales and dates from the First Edition 6-inch issue of 1848, as well as older maps and Admiralty Charts. The Gibbs Map of Lewis [1817] was digitised as part of the 'Capturing Memories' project in 2024 and is available online National Library of Scotland
Postcards and Photographs
Albums of old postcards and photographs are available for reference.
Library Digitisation Project - Ar n Aite
We are working to digitise many our Gaelic and Local History resources to make them more accessible. If you are interested in volunteering for this project or would like to find out more, please get in touch at library.enquiries@cne-siar.gov.uk
The local authority archive service: Tasglann nan Eilean
Discover the past in a wealth of historical records curated by Hebridean Historical Societies at Hebridean Connections
Museum nan Eilean is the local authority museum service and operates two accredited museums in Lewis and Benbecula.
Hebrides People is a visitor and genealogy centre in the Isle of Harris with over 200,000 online records.
Historic maps of Stornoway and environs from the 1780s to the 1960s online at the National Library of Scotland
Highland history and culture - explore the rich history of the Scottish Highlands and Islands through photographs, illustrations, maps, documents, audio and video at Am Baile
The key to Scotland’s past. Explore locations you love through our archives and discover designated places with Trove.