Solihull Heritage and Local Studies Service
Solihull Heritage and Local Studies Service, at Solihull Central Library, is the first port of call for anyone interested in local history or family history within the present Borough of Solihull.
Our team of staff can help you whether you are researching the history of your house, investigating your family history, carrying out a school project, writing an academic dissertation or if you're simply curious about the local area. You can also find us on YouTube and on Flickr.
Do you have a question or comment about local history or family history in the Solihull borough?
Post a message in our Solihull Heritage Forum and get the combined expertise of library staff, local historians and fellow enthusiasts.
Solihull from the Air - a new book of aerial photos of the Borough
The first heritage book to be produced by Solihull Library & Information Service in ten years is now available. The book features some 50 photos and maps, mostly aerial photographs of the Borough taken in 2007. All of the main villages and settlements of the Borough are included from Castle Bromwich to Hockley Heath, and from Shirley to Balsall Common.
It's available to order online at £27.95 for a softcover edition and £34.95 for a hardback version (plus postage). Don't miss out - order your copy now!
Pride in our Past: Solihull's LGBT history
Pride in Our Past is our new project to discover and record the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans experience of life in the borough, in both the recent and historical past.
To find out more, or if you'd like to be involved as a volunteer researcher, please contact Laura on 0121 704 6902 or e-mail us at heritage@solihull.gov.uk.
1911 census and Find My Past
All libraries in Solihull now have access to the 1911 census and other resources available on the Find My Past website. For more details see our Family History page.
Kingshurst Memories
We have worked with community film-maker Rachel Gillies, who has produced video clips of people's memories of Kingshurst. The clip below features people talking about moving to Kingshurst, for other video clips about shopping, community groups, school memories etc. see our YouTube channel.
Forgotten Photos
You can help us to identify some of our 'forgotten photos' by looking at them on the Solihull Heritage Forum (external site) or on our Flickr page (external site).
Follow the links for information on:
Opening times and location
Solihull Heritage and Local Studies Service is available at Solihull Central Library during normal library opening hours:
- Monday 9.00am-8.00pm
- Tuesday 9.00am-6.00pm
- Wednesday 10.00am-6.00pm
- Thursday 9.00am-8.00pm
- Friday 9.00am-6.00pm
- Saturday 9.00am-5.00pm
Location
Solihull Heritage and Local Studies Service is a Solihull Council service provided by Solihull Library & Information Service and is situated on the first floor of Solihull Central Library
Each branch library in Solihull also has a collection of materials relating to its own area.
Enquiries
Solihull Heritage and Local Studies Service welcomes enquiries relating to local or family history topics and is happy to advise on sources available.
The small team of staff cannot undertake lengthy research but may be able to check specific sources and supply copies as necessary (subject to copyright restrictions). Please contact us if you have any questions about our service.