Belper

Contents & Site Map

Local Studies Collection - Belper Library

Bridge Street,  Belper,  DE56 1BA
Tel: 01773 824333

Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9.30am - 7pm
Wednesday, Friday 9.30am - 5pm
Saturday 9.30am - 4pm

The following list of holdings in the Local Studies Collection at Belper Library is very kindly provided by Ruth Sharpe, Local Studies Librarian for the Amber Valley area in Derbyshire. Library staff will be pleased to help with any further information required before your visit - please call or email as listed above.

See also Derbyshire Cultural & Community - Local Studies for further information on Local Studies HQ and on Libraries elsewhere in Derbyshire. The Peakland Heritage site, and Picture the Past (www.picturethepast.org.uk) are both provided by Derbyshire's Cultural & Community Department; also the British Library, and the Peak District National Park Authority, which has a wealth of information about the past, and a Surname index specifically to help genealogists.

1. Books:

• All local studies books are marked with an orange ‘local history’ sticker on the spine.
  Loan stock is filed on the open shelves in the local studies area, under a variety of subject headings. Books are in Dewey classification order within these headings, except for Belper books, which are filed in at the beginning of the section.
  Reference stock is on the open shelves, behind the enquiry desk, or in the attic.

2. Cuttings:

• These are held in box files in the local studies section; 6 box files on Belper, 3 on other areas in Derbyshire. There are also 3 on local companies. Most of these are for reference only but some are available for loan.

3. Newspapers and Journals:

• There are hard copies of Belper News right back to 1938. (There is a full list of any missing copies in a plastic folder behind the enquiry desk.) We usually ask people to use the microfilm versions for any papers more than 15 years old in order to preserve them. (See also under microfiche and microfilm.)
  The Belper Express is also kept back to 1989.
  The last 3 issues of local journals are on display in the local studies section, and back copies in box files in the attic. Back copies of the following journals are stored in the attic:
  
  • Ambergate, Sawmills & Heage Tree Church Newsletter Nov 1996 to date
  • A selection of Herbert Strutt's School newsletter SCROLL from the 1950's-1970's.
  • Belper Celebration Belper's showcase magazine Winter 2001 to date
  • Belper parish magazine 1987-to date.
  • Derbyshire Miscellany Volumes 1,3-6, 9.
  • Crich area Community news 1999-to date.
  • The Gangway, Newsletter of the Belper Historical Society 1999-to date.
  • Various Derbyshire Family history Society Journals and branch newsletters, from 1980-to date.
  • Highedge Historical Society Newsletter 1996-to date.
  • Full set of the Derbyshire Archaeological Journal.
  • Full set of Derbyshire Life and Countryside. There are loan copies of most of these up to 2003.
  • Derby Mercury - 5 bound volumes; 1852-57 including Belper extracts (2 volumes) and 1732-1851 including Belper, Milford and Makeney extracts. (3 volumes) Kept behind enquiry desk.

4. Microfiche and Microfilm:

• We do advise you to book in advance before a visit to use the machines. Also please note that they are situated upstairs. Copies of film can be made on the premises, 45p per sheet.

  Film -
  Census Returns for 1841-1901. There is a place name index in a small card file here. There is a hard copy name index for Belper & Ripley for 1851. A name index is in progress for 1861 in hard copy, and new (in 2006) equipment allowing printing from census on film.

  Belper News since Jun - Dec 1896 - to date. (1898 is missing). Belper, Alfreton and Wirksworth Advertiser April-August 1843.

  The following are thanks to the NEWSPLAN 2000 Project:
  (Libraries & Information - East Midlands - formerly www.newsplan200.org)

  The Belper Journal & Times 18 June - December 1870, 1871-1873 & 1 - 23 Jan 1874.
  The Belper Weekly Times 1862 - 1866 & January 1867 - 8 August 1867.
  The Derbyshire Telephone and People's Advocate 16 September 1898 - December 1899, 1900 & January - 9 August 1901.
  

  *NEW for 2007 *
  Strutt Mill School Records available on film thanks to Manchester Archives:
  Admission Register Girls 1818 - 1839, 1848 -1880.
  List of children employed in the Mills 1866 - 1884
  School Certificate books 1844 - 1858
  

  [Ed: transcriptions of the first Admission Registers may be viewed online - see our Strutt School Admission Records Surname Index]

  Fiche -
  1841, 1891 & 1901 census returns. 1881 & 1891 census name indexes. Also an 1881 birthplace and census place name index.
  Hardcopy Belper Street index for 1901 census.
  We also have 1901 census vouchers for sale to use on the web site.
  

  There are some Monumental & Memorial Inscriptions for Belper, Turnditch, Hazelwood and Duffield churches as well.
  Two boxes of Derbyshire Directories 1808-1977. They are filed in date, and then alphabetical order.

5. Maps:

• There is an upright storing map cabinet. There is a map index for current maps on the inside of the lid. This and indexes for all maps are in a folder near the map cabinet.

  Current maps: 1:1,250 (50") Covering immediate Belper area.
  1:2,500 (25") Covering Belper and environs, on standing order.
  There is a selection of 1:10,000 (6") maps for the local area.
  

  Old Maps: Some pre 1945 1:2,500 (25") maps, including 1880 and 1916 editions of the Belper area.

  Also: GOAD plans from 1971 -2000. (Showing shops in Belper town centre.)
  1991 census maps are in a box file in local studies reference section.
  In the attic is a cuttings box with maps of the Strutt estate as it was in the 1890's.

6. Photographs:

• About 500 photographs are held, in number order, covering the Belper and surrounding area. They are all indexed. The photographs are mainly donations. There are also 140 Brettle's photographs (The hosiery company). There are still a number of photographs requiring processing. Copyright clearance is currently in progress. A number of our photographs can be found on the following website: www.picturethepast.org.uk.

7. Ephemera:

• In the attic are a number of large box files containing posters, leaflets etc. from 1983 to date.

8. Electoral Register:

• The current edition is now only available from the District Council Registration Department 01773 570222. Back copies are held in the library from 1984/5 - 2001.

9. Minutes:

• Current year is held in local studies section, back copies in the attic for;
  • Derbyshire County Council minutes
  • Amber Valley Borough Council Minutes
  • Belper Town Council Minutes (previously Belper Urban District Council). Minutes held for 1964-1974.

10. Statistics/General Reference Items:

• Monthly unemployment statistics and population figures for Derbyshire in reference section in pamphlet box marked ‘Statistics’.
• The 2001 census is in the general reference section. There is a copy of the summary profiles of the census and ward data for Belper North, Central, South, East. The 1991 census material for Belper is in the local studies section. The census for 1981, 1971 and 1961 are in the attic.
• Local business directories are held in a box file in local studies section.
• Amber Valley Industrial Guides and older local plans are in the attic.
• There are 3 box files of ‘Bits and Bobs’ items behind the enquiry desk, along with 2 box files of local information, e.g. councillors, alternative medicine etc. and a box file of tourist information.
• Various tourist leaflets, street plans and carnival leaflets are kept for Belper as well going back to the 1960's/70's.
• Structure/Conservation/Environment and Local plans are available.
• Ofsted Inspection reports are in box files in the local studies section.

11. Special Items:

• Local Studies guides and helps - located in file box in local reference section labelled "Family and Local History Guides".
  ‘Belper Memories’ is in local studies section for loan.
• Belper Library 50th anniversary scrapbook. Located in the attic.
• Belper Babington Workhouse baptisms 23.02.1841 - 28.02.1866
• Belper Unitarian Church Baptisms 1776 - 1808
• Heage Ebenezer Baptisms 1865 - 1907

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