CLHF LINKS
We aim to make this a comprehensive listing of websites for the use of active local historians who are researching and presenting the local history of Cumbria. We welcome suggestions for additions, alterations and corrections to any links which may be changed.
The listing is divided into Organisations, Resources, and general Search Tools. Many of the resources will have their own search tool.
Organisations
British Association for Local History
National organisation, which also provides insurance for member societies.
British History Online
Home page of this extensive searchable resource.
The British Library
Home page of the British Library at St Pancras.
Cumbria Archive Service
County archives with four offices.
Cumbria County History Trust, CCHT
Charity which funds the Victoria County History for Cumbria.
Cumbria Family History Society
Starting site for family historians.
Cumbria Local History Federation
The county organisation for local history, with membership of societies and individuals. General information and guide.
Cumbria Local Studies Libraries
A guide to the Local Studies Libraries in Cumbria and their collections.
Cumberland & Westmorland Archaeological & Antiquarian Society
Homepage of major society.
Friends of Cumbria Archives FOCAS
Supporting Cumbria Archives Service, volunteering.
Furness Family History Society
Family history for Cumbria which was part of Lancashire before 1974.
The Oral History Society
National society supporting oral history - how to make recordings.
National Records of Scotland, formerly NAS
Home page of the National Records of Scotland.
Regional Heritage Centre, Lancaster University
Directs/edits the VCH Cumbria project and provides a programme of educational events.
Resources
Anglo-American Legal Tradition, University of Houston
Provides extensive/comprehensive images of medieval English judicial documents.
Ambleside Oral History Group & other societies' recordings
Register for searchable full access to transcripts of hundreds of oral history recordings.
The Armitt Library, Ambleside
Has a collection of manuscripts and publications valuable for the cultural and social history of the lakes.
BALH The Local Historian
National journal of local history, downloadable for members.
Church of England
Search the historical Church of England clergy database.
CAS Archive Centres
The four Cumbria Archive Centres of Cumbria County Council.
CCHT VCH Handbook
A valuable guide to reseacrhing the factual history of civil parishes in Cumbria.
CCHT VCH places
Contains the gazeteer of basic information for Civil Parishes in 1901 and a databank of information.
Cumbria Family History Society Links
Links for family historians, Cumbria.
Cumbria Industries, website of Cumbria Industrial History Society
Access to databank of industries in Cumbria.
Cumbria Libraries image bank
Finds historical images, downloadable on terms.
Cumbria Railways
A resource covering the lost railways of northern Cumbria in detail.
Cumbrian Railways Association
Formed in 1976, the Cumbrian Railways Association (CRA) is a charitable organisation that aims to improve the knowledge and understanding of the railways of Cumbria. This includes their histories and those of the people who ran them as well as the social and physical impacts of the railways.
The CRA aims to preserve and retain records of as much as possible of the railways of Cumbria and associated events. The focus is on both the past and the present.
We have an enthusiastic and friendly community of well informed and knowledgeable members as well as a “Chat Line” where members’ views and information are shared.
In addition to our wide range of CRA publications about the railways of Cumbria we have a rich library of historic photos and documents which can be invaluable to researchers and enthusiasts. These are held by the Association or at County Archives. We also publish a quarterly Journal and Newsletter to members and hold two annual Conferences each year.
WebsiteImperial War Museum
Full search of war memorials.
L&DFLHS Greenwood Maps
Full copies of the 1 inch Greenwood maps for Cu and We 1821-4, provided for free use.
L&DFLHS Journals
Full text pdf copies of Journals covering the north western lakes area.
Kendal Oral History Group
Indexed archive of society oral history recordings.
Lakes Guide
Downloadable comprehensive historical maps of Cumbria, plus guides and images.
Lancaster University Guide to Manorial Records of Cumbria
A project in 2005/6, see the search tool for the Manorial Documents Register.
The National Archives
Home page of the National Archive for England and Wales, at Kew.
National Library of Scotland, maps
Ordnance Survey and other historical maps of England.
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Short biographies of deceased people considered important, subscribe or comes with some library subscriptions.
Pathe News
Searchable news clips; 85,000.
Regnal year calculator
Converts dates in regnal years to calendar years.
Sellafield Stories
An archive of oral history recordings related to the nuclear facilities in Cumbria.
University of Leicester, historical directories
Search historical directories, with full text.
Website of David Bradbury
Selected historical material from West Cumberland.
Wills and Probate
Online government resource for deaths after 1858 in England and Wales.
A Vision of Britain through time
Maps and overview statistics of places through time by local government area.
The Wordsworth Trust, Grasmere
Search collection of manuscripts and other resources.
Search Tools
Archives hub
Search the collections of UK academic institutions.
British History Online search
Search page of this large resource.
CASCAT
Search archives of CAS which have been included.
The British Library main search
Holds manuscripts, including letters, as well as publications.
CWAAS Transactions
Search Transactions. Full text. Membership required for most recent 10 years.
Google Books
Advanced search for extensive collection of historical publications, many full-text and downloadable.
LANCAT. Search tool for Lancashire Archive Service.
Search tool for retained records of pre-1974 Lancashire and Richmond Archdeaconry.
The Manorial Documents Register Database
Finds manorial documents (as defined) for historic counties, including all Cumbria. Not full text.
The National Archives, Discovery
General search tool for TNA collections, TNA online documents and other collections.
National Records of Scotland, search facilities
Search tools for the National Archives of Scotland.