The Western Isles Local Studies Collection contains material on all aspects of the Western Isles, including history, architecture, Clan and family histories, geography, geology and natural history.

Because of age or format much material is not openly available. Please ask a member of staff if you require assistance.

The Library holds: (i) the Stornoway Gazette on microfilm from 1917 to date and bound volumes from September 1939 to date; the Highland News on microfilm from 1883 to 1952, bound volumes 1893-1895, 1897-1922 and 1927-1929; the West Highland Free Press from 1972 to date on microfilm and bound volumes 1975 to date; the Oban Times from 1861 to 1975; the Inverness Courier (1817-1885); the Inverness Advertiser (1849-1885); the Inverness Courier and Advertiser 1885-1975 on microfilm.

Albums of old postcards and photographs, including the T B Macaulay Collection are available for reference.

Ordnance Survey maps of various scales and dates from the First Edition six inch issue of 1848 can be consulted on request.

There is also a collection of older maps and Admiralty Charts. The Gibbs Map of Lewis, 1817 is housed in the Council Offices and may be viewed on the first floor landing.

Old Parochial Registers (OPR) are available on microfilm; they record christenings and marriages prior to 1855 when official registration commenced. Within each parish records are in date order, with some indexing. As they are copies of handwritten entries deciphering names is not always easy.

Census Returns from 1841 to 1901 are available on microfilm. Arranged by parish, then by settlement they detail the age, sex, relationship to head of the family, occupation and parish of birth of all persons present at the time of the census. Again some entries are difficult to read.

The International Genealogical Index (IGI) for the whole of Scotland is held on microfiche. Produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the IGI is arranged by former Counties then alphabetically by surname and forenames, recording details of weddings and births/baptisms.

Minutes of the former Stornoway Town Council on microfilm and printed minutes of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar from 1974 are held.

School Log Books, mainly for schools which are now closed are kept on behalf of the Director of Education. Minute books of Lewis school boards are also available.

The Seaforth Muniments comprise a selection of items relating to Lewis including copies of letters on various subjects, rentals and other documents.

Rental and Valuation Rolls, some dating back to the eighteenth century provide details of landowners and tenants.

Croft Histories for several areas of the Western Isles are available.

Biographical Information can also be found in works such as Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, the Annals of the Free Church and History of Lodge Fortrose.

The Microfilm Reader can produce A4 copies only for which a charge is made. To avoid disappointment it is advisable to book the reader in advance as demand can be heavy at times.

Photocopies of other material can be made in A4 and A3 sizes. A charge is made for these. Because of fragilty of the original or for copyright reasons it may not be possible to provide copies of some items.

There is also a selection of family history books, including Stewart Angus, The Outer Hebrides: the shaping of the islands (1997); Ian Armit, The archaeology of Skye and the Western Isles (1996); Joni Buchanan, The Lewis land struggle: na Gaisgeach (1996); George Clavey, A History of Lodge Fortrose No 108, Stornoway (1993); Kethleen B Cory, Tracing your Scottish Ancestry (1990); Patricia E Dennison, Historic Stornoway (1997); Joan P S Ferguson, Scottish Family Histories. 2nd ed (1986), Alwyn James, Scottish Roots: a step-by-step guide for ancestor hunters in Scotland and overseas. (1981); Bill Lawson, [Croft histories for various areas]; Bill Lawson, Harris Families and how to trace them (1990); Bill Lawson, Harris Marriages, 1820-55 (1990); Bill Lawson, Register of Emigrants from the Western Isles of Scotland 1750-1900 (1992-); Donald MacDonald, Lewis: a History of the Island (1978); Donald MacDonald, Tales and Traditions of the Lews (1967); Finlay Macleod, The Chapels in the Western Isles (1997); Donald Morrison, The Morrison Manuscript: Traditions of the Western Isles (1975); John Morrison, Lewis and Harris Seamen, 1939-1945 (1993); The Outer Hebrides: Handbook and Guide (1995); Cecil Sinclair, Tracing your Scottish Ancestors: a guide to ancestry research in the Scottish Record Office (1990); Francis Thompson, Harris and Lewis, Outer Hebrides 3rd ed (1987); Francis Thompson, St Kilda and other Hebridean Outliers, new ed (1988); Francis Thompson, The Uists and Barra (1974).