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Mar 20 2007, 6:00 AM EDT (current) cath01 242 words added
Mar 20 2007, 5:59 AM EDT cath01

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The map collection in Local Studies is second to none - over 2,000 maps showing the development of Leeds and Yorkshire over the centuries, including historic Ordnance Survey maps. These are invaluable to both local historians and family historians in locating long-lost streets, dating old buildings, and seeing 'what was there' before Leeds started to grow. Used in conjunction with the old Kelly's directories, old maps can be used to pinpoint the exact location of a long-demolished house or business. Kelly's directories are a wonderful source of information about the city of Leeds in past years. Within their pages, you can find what schools were in Leeds at any given time, how many children attended and who the head teacher was. You can also find out what churches were around at the time, who built them and who the incumbent was. The directories have an alphabetical list of residents, a classified trade section, and a street-by-street listing of residents, so you can see who lived where in, say, 1894. Some directories also contain potted histories of some Leeds suburbs, and detailed information about corporation departments, post offices, train companies etc. The electoral registers, also known as burgess rolls, voters lists, or poll books, show you who was entitled to vote in local and general elections. The registers up to 1887 are arranged in alphabetical order of name within each ward, thus making them invaluable to family historians trying to find elusive ancestors.