History research at your library

Access our new Thurrock Libraries website

As of Wednesday 1 April, all our Libraries information is on our new and improved Thurrock Libraries website - Home | Thurrock Libraries  This site is the go-to place to view your account, see what books are on offer, reserve and renew books, view our events and check on library opening and closing times 

Local history

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.

Grays library
Thameside Complex, Orsett Road, Grays, RM17 5DX

: 01375 413 976

: grays.library@thurrock.gov.uk