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North Somerset Studies library

Our local history collection brings together a range of reference material about North Somerset.

Find us upstairs in Weston library. You will need to show either a local library card or proof of name and address when you sign in.

We have more than 5,000 books including runs of town guides/ holiday brochures from the early 19th century, county histories, and histories of individual parishes. Also:

  • census - population figures and local returns
  • illustrations - including aerial photographs, Francis Frith collection, postcards and a comprehensive collection of views of churches throughout Somerset
  • maps - Ordnance Survey maps, street and tithe maps
  • newspapers - cuttings files on local topics and people. On microfilm - Weston Mercury 1855 to the present day, Weston Gazette 1845-1951 and the Clevedon Mercury (excluding 1950-1972)
  • parish registers on microfiche for churches in North Somerset
  • street directories - various volumes, Somerset from 1840-1939 and Weston-super-Mare 1883-1974
  • local periodicals - Notes and Queries - Somerset and Dorset, Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society Proceedings indexed on our catalogue.

Booking of microfilm readers is advisable. Copyright permitting, copies may be made.

Original documents have been deposited in Somerset Record Office. These are listed on their catalogue and some may be consulted when our archivist visits.

Our museum has images as well as objects in its local history collection. While more local records are held by our archaeological services.

Local historians and groups can be found on our local organisations database Clearasmud.

The Somerset Studies library in Taunton is another source of historical material relating to our area.

For more information contact Weston Information library.