You can now use the computers in any Thurrock library to access "Ancestry", the one-stop collection of genealogical records for this country and the whole world. To gain access to the Ancestry web site on the Thurrock Library computer, open Internet Explorer and click on 'Favorites' at the top of the screen.
You can book a time slot on one of the library computers in advance by phoning your local library or by visiting the library with your library card.
In addition to "Ancestry", Thurrock Libraries has books that can get you started on exploring your family history and Grays Library has local parish records on microfiche, local newspapers on microfilm and census returns.
Each Thurrock library also holds a small amount of information about Thurrock and the Local Area.
The main collection of Local Studies material is kept at Grays Library, which holds:
| Item | Dates Held |
|---|---|
| Parish Registers | |
| Census Returns on Microfilm | 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 |
| Census Returns on Microfiche | 1901 |
| Indexes to Census Returns | 1851, 1881 |
| Maps | Ancient and Modern |
| Tithe Maps and Apportionments | |
| Illustrations (indexed) | |
| Personal Names Index | |
| Local History Cuttings Index | Until mid 1980s |
| Parish Histories | |
| Biographies of Local Worthies | |
| Thurrock Gazette | From 1884 |
We also hold much, much more than this. For further information contact Grays Library Local Studies Department on 01375 413976.
