South Shields Local History Group

Resources

Anyone who is looking for further history (after census info) on a relative the online newspapers are the first place to look. The best sources for tracing individuals or incidents of South Shields history by far are the local newspapers.  Local libraries usually have free access to newspapers including the Shields Gazette through Findmypast or British Newspapers Online, at The Word in South Shields they are certainly free.

Please don’t ask on this site about family members as it is a Local History website not a Family History website!

George B Hodgson – The Borough of South Shields (1903) – The bible for South Shields History, though maybe a bit heavy going for modern readership, with few images.

George B Hodgson – The History of South Shields (1924). This was based on the book above but was given to all the schools in South Shields, Feel free to download, below are:
1) Digitised Edition PDF same as the newly printed book.
2) Original Scholars a PDF scanned and lightened for easier reading.
3) EPUB eBook for eReaders such as Kindle. Download and Send to Kindle or other eReaders (if you know what you are doing with eBook downloads.)


The Word, South Shields local library is the best place for books on South Shields. They also have: trade directories, Council minutes, maps, photos, burial records, electoral registers, free internet access to censuses and newspapers. (The Word)

Online Resources

A Vision of Britain Through Time – 19th century historical statistics, maps

Crew List Index Project – For ships crew lists and ship information

Durham at WarDurham County Record Office’s First World War

Durham Mining Museum

Durham Records Online: Search Census and Church Records

Durham University Library – Discover – books, maps, manuscripts etc about South Shields, online and in person

Heather’s Historical Society – Historical and genealogical information and documentation

Lit & Phil Library Catalogue (inforlib.uk) – books, Wards Trade Directories, in person

Local history and heritage – South Tyneside Council

North East War Memorial Project

South Tyneside Libraries (southtynesidehistory.co.uk) – excellent selection of South Shields photos

The National Archives – Kew Gardens, for Merchant Navy and military records, some records online some in person

Tyne Tugs & Tug Builders – Tyne tugs info

Yorkshire Film Archive (yfanefa.com) – Film archive with amateur films about the Tyne and South Shields

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