History research at your library

The main local history collection is at Grays library on the first floor.

There is a wide range of books, maps, illustrations, photographs and microfilmed documents:

• Thurrock Gazette on microfilm 1886 to present – not indexed
• Thurrock maps 1800s to 1980s – not complete
• illustrations of Thurrock – indexed
• pamphlets
• Thurrock aerial photos 1955 and 1987

If you wish to use the microfilm machine, we advise you to phone Grays library in advance to book a 2-hour session with your Thurrock or Essex library card. A guest ticket can be provided if you live outside of Thurrock and Essex.

This machine can be booked for more than 2 hours at a time, as long as it's not already booked by someone else.

There is a small charge for printing from the microfilm reader – go to library charges.