Once you've exhausted other avenues, these records may help to give you a picture of your ancestors lives.

School Records Central Library holds a large collection of school records for the Manchester area.  Surviving admission registers c.1870-c.1916 for Manchester schools are available on-line on findmypast.co.uk Admission registers are compiled at the time of a child's admission to a school.  They record a pupil's name, date of birth, address, date of admission and leaving. Often also included is a parent's name and standard reached before leaving. Military records Ancestry.co.uk has a good collection of military records including the medal index cards. Newspapers Local newspapers can be useful for searching for notices of:
  • Birth
  • Death
  • Marriage
  • Shipping
  • Bankrupts
  • Trials
  • Inquests
  • Divorce
Maps The library has a good collection of maps of Manchester and the surrounding area, showing the development of the city from Roman times right up to the present day.  Maps can be used to examine the area in which your ancestors lived. Many of these maps are now available on-line.
Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society has been helping family historians worldwide since 1964.  We are based at Manchester Central Library and are part of the Archives+ partnership. Society volunteers are available at the Family History Help Desk Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 3.30pm and will be pleased to provide family history advice and assistance, whether your ancestors came from Greater Manchester or from further afield.  We also hold regular classes for beginners and an extensive programme of talks. We encourage members to get involved.  Many of our members provide mutual help and advice through our online forum.  Others help to transcribe and index local resources.  All members are welcome to contribute to our quarterly magazine. Membership of Manchester & Lancashire FHS includes membership of any or all four of our branches.  These support members with ancestors in Oldham and Bolton, and those with ancestors from Scotland and Ireland.  Each branch organises its own meetings programme, over and above that of the parent Society, and undertakes locally based projects.