Edinburgh is a celebrated city on a unique site. Built around a group of volcanic hills, Edinburgh's Old and New Towns are equally rich in history and heritage.
The renowned literary, cultural and built heritage of the city can be explored through the wealth of records and resources available in Edinburgh's Libraries, Archives and Museums.
Whether researching a particular event, building, famous resident or your own family tree, we can help with your search.
The Edinburgh Room in Central Library is the city's local studies library and should be the first port of call for any research into Edinburgh local or family history. Our collection includes Edinburgh census returns, Old Parish Registers, local newspapers and Directories.
A selection of our Edinburgh images appear on the Capital Collections website.
For help with your family history research and tips on getting started have a look at the free Family History resources available at Edinburgh Central Library.
Edinburgh City Archives is committed to acquiring, preserving and making publicly available archives that relate to past and present life in the City of Edinburgh area.
Once you have consulted some basic sources, such as civil registration records, census returns and old parish registers, it may be possible that the City Archives has records which could provide you with further details on your ancestors and how they lived their lives. Such records include:
- Town Council Minutes
- Dean of Guild Plans
- Poor House and Parochial Board records (mainly administrative)
- Education records
- Incorporated Trade records
If you think Edinburgh City Archives can help with your research, please contact us at:
Edinburgh City Archives
Level 1, City Chambers
High Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1YJ
Tel: 0131 529 4616
The Museums and Galleries run by the City of Edinburgh Council range from historic buildings strung along the Royal Mile, to Lauriston Castle in the city's western suburbs and museums celebrating the heritage of the distinctive maritime communities of Queensferry and Newhaven.
