Our Local History and Genealogy Library in Irvine brings together a wide range of resources relating to the rich heritage of North Ayrshire including books, local newspapers, photographs, genealogy records and digital maps.
If you wish to trace your family tree, look up old newspapers from 100 years ago or are carrying out a local history project, we can help you.
We welcome your visit, whatever your interest.
Burial Records
Finding out when your ancestor died is as important to family history as finding out their date of birth and marriage.
Census Returns
Census records were first recorded in 1801 and have been recorded every ten years since with the exception of 1941 due to World War Two.
Getting Started
How do you begin to research your family history?
The golden rule is to start with what you know.
Monumental Inscriptions
A monumental inscription is the information recorded on a headstone, or crypt, within a graveyard or cemetery.
Newspapers
Newspapers are an invaluable resource which can enrich and build upon the basic framework of your family tree and add depth and character to your ancestors’ lives.
Old Parish Registers
Prior to 1855, in Scotland, there was no legal requirement to register a birth, marriage, or death, and a fee had to be paid to register the event. They were usually recorded by session clerks in what is known as The Old Parish Registers.
Poor Relief
Until 1845 relief of the poor was the responsibility of the Heritor’s and the Kirk Sessions. Following the Poor Law Amendment (Scotland) Act of 1845 Parochial Boards were set up in each parish to administer poor relief with the ability to raise taxes.
Records of Divorce
Divorce for adultery has been permitted in Scotland since 1560 and for desertion since 1573 but could only be afforded by the rich. From 1830 Scottish Divorces were decided by the Court of Session.
Our Resources
Books and Photographs
We have a wide range of local history books and photographs to complement your research.
Burial Records
Ardrossan 1874 - 1925
Dailly 1876 - 1914
Dalry 1866 - 1925
Dreghorn 1849 - 1925
Irvine 1818 - 1862
Kilbirnie 1887 - 1930
Kilwinning 1870 - 1894
Kirkmichael 1881 - 1924
Largs 1862 - 1925
West Kilbride - 1859 - 1923
Census Returns
These are produced every 10 year and released to the public after a period of 100 years has passed.
1841-1901 for the County of Ayrshire, Isles of Arran and Cumbrae - available on microfilm.
Electoral Rolls
Ayr County Council -1956 - 1976
Cunninghame District Council - 1977 - 1995
North Ayrshire Council - 1996 - present
International Genealogical Index
Great Britain and Ireland
List of Voters
1854, 1857, 1859, 1868, 1879-80
Maps
We have a state-of-the-art digital map table linked directly to the National Library of Scotland's Map Library.
Monumental Inscriptions
All graveyards and cemeteries within North Ayrshire, from earliest legible until early 1980's.
Newspapers
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald 1857 - present
Beith Echo and Northern Advertiser - 1904 - 1913
Dalry and Kilbirnie Herald - 1894 - 1926
Irvine and Fullarton Times 1874 - 2003
Irvine Herald - 1877 - present
Kilwinning Chronicle - 1894 - 1950
Largs and Millport Weekly News
Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston News - 1906 - 1908
Stevenston Gazette - 1894 - 1926
Old Parish Returns
County of Ayrshire
Isles of Arran & Cumbrae
Poor Relief Records
Ardrossan 1846 - 1925
Beith 1845 - 1925
Cumbrae 1855 - 1925
Dailly 1855 - 1877
Dalmellington 1911 - 1920
Dalry 1886 - 1925
Dreghorn 1872 - 1901
Dundonald 1845 - 1921
Irvine 1827 - 1930
Kilbrinie 1856 - 1903
Kilmarnock 1863 - 1925
Kilwinning 1839 - 1925
Kirkmichael 1847 - 1925
Kirkoswald 1839 - 1925
Largs 1875 - 1925
Muirkirk 1912 - 1920
Stevenston 1856 - 1925
Straiton 1902 - 1925
West Kilbride 1857 - 1861
Trade Directories
1837, 1851-52, 1887, 1886-89, 1908-09, 1925-26, 1935-37, 1973.
Valuation Rolls
County of Ayr - 1914 - present
County of Bute - 1960 - 1975
North Ayrshire - 1891 - present
Getting Here
Opening Times
Entry to the Local History and Genealogy Library is free.
Space in the library is limited and a lot of the information is only available on microfilm.
We strongly advise that you book in advance.
Monday 9.30am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm
Tuesday 9.30am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm
Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday 9.30am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm
Friday 9.30am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm
Saturday (first of month only) 9.30am – 1:45pm