The Hampshire Family Historian | Volume 51 No.4 | March 2025

Portsmouth Records Office

Portsmouth City Local History Centre

Based on the 2nd floor of the central library in Guildhall Square is an amalgamation of the library collection and Portsmouth Records Office.

It operates as a records office so you will need a reader’s card or proof of identity to gain access. Opening hours are the same as the library: Mon 9:30-5; Tues-Thurs 9:30-6; Fri 9:30-5 and Sat 10-3.30. Computers may be used but only on their own battery. As with other records offices pencil notes only, no food or drink and bags in lockers. There is a café on the 3rd floor for refreshment breaks. Some of the original material is stored off site but regularly used items are kept on site. A call to 02392 688046 and/or email to portsmouthhistorycentre@portsmouthcc.gov. uk can be used to check on availability, off site delivery is weekly. The National Archives can be used to search for items held. Records on site can be normally be produced on the day but there will be the odd occasion when staffing is limited by holiday or sickness and only the computers and open shelf material will be available. Parish registers and other resources are now mostly available via Find My Past which is

available free of charge on the centres computers, which can be booked in advance, or take a chance on the day. If needed the original registers, rates books may be available. Extensive card indexes from the former records office and library can be used to look up sources. The centre has a wide variety of local books on open shelves from Kelly’s directories, electoral roll, army and navy lists to books on family, local and naval history. Some local newspapers and census returns are available on microfiche or film. The centre also houses books by local authors and the book and paper part of the Conan Doyle collection from Richard Lancelot Green. The larger objects are at the nearby City Museum.

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