Archives and local studies
Luton Central Library provides a local studies collection that includes a small archive of older materials. This collection can support research into family history, local history, or the history of your home. It contains books, pamphlets, newspaper cuttings, microfilm, and microfiche about the history and development of Luton and Bedfordshire. There is also some information covering the nearby counties of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
The collection includes local newspapers on microfilm dating back to 1874, copies of local parish registers on microfiche, and census returns for Luton from 1841. There is a small photograph collection showing historic views of Luton, though the library is unable to provide copies. A larger photographic collection is available at Luton Museum.
You can also find a wide range of local and county maps showing how Luton has changed over the past 150 years, including some large scale maps that show individual property outlines.
The International Genealogical Index is available on microfiche, and library computers also provide access to it online. Library members with a PIN can use a library computer for 35 minutes free of charge to explore online resources related to local and family history.
Family history
The downloads on this page give an overview of the family history materials available in the local studies collection at Luton Central Library. If you have any questions about these resources, or would like to know more about the history of Luton, please contact the library.
Getting started with family history
Researching your family tree can feel overwhelming, especially if you are unsure where to begin. Family history is one of the most popular hobbies in the UK and worldwide, and there are many ways to find support as you start your search. Local family history societies can be helpful, whether your relatives lived in Bedfordshire or elsewhere. You can also look for a society connected to the area your family came from, and the Federation of Family History Societies provides details about groups across the country.
Bedfordshire Family History Society
The Bedfordshire Family History Society meets on the first Friday of each month at 7.30pm at Mark Rutherford Upper School in Bedford, except during August. The group welcomes anyone interested in family history or heraldry. Although their main focus is Bedfordshire, members researching families from other counties are also welcome. The annual membership is £10, with an additional £2 joining fee. For more information or to join, you can visit their website or contact them using the address provided on this page.
Resources at Luton Central Library
Luton Central Library offers an extensive archive section that may be useful for family history research. You can visit the relevant page for more information or download the available documents to see the types of records they hold.
Local studies collection
Luton Central Library has a Local Studies collection that includes a small archive of older material. This collection can help with family history research, understanding the history of your home, or exploring how Luton and the wider area have developed over time.
What you can find in the collection
The Local Studies collection includes books, pamphlets, newspaper cuttings, microfilm and microfiche about the history of Luton and Bedfordshire. There is also some information on neighbouring areas such as Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
The library holds local newspapers on microfilm dating back to 1874, parish registers on microfiche, and census records for Luton from 1841. A small photograph collection is available, although copies cannot be provided. A larger photographic archive can be found at Luton Museum.
The collection also includes a wide range of local and county maps showing how Luton has changed over the last 150 years. Some maps are detailed enough to show individual property boundaries.
Research tools and digital access
The International Genealogical Index is available on microfiche, and it can also be accessed on library computers. Library members with a PIN can use a computer for 60 minutes free of charge to explore websites and online tools related to family and local history.
Luton Libraries also provide access to Find My Past, a major family history resource. It can be used for free in any Luton library by library members.