History enthusiasts in Carlisle will be able to find out more about their heritage at a series of events to mark Local History Month in May.
A host of activities organised by Cumbria County Council at libraries next month, reflect the growing interest in local and family history.
Throughout the month, several libraries will be displaying photos from days gone by where local people can pop in and see if they can identify a relative, building or landmark. Libraries will also be showing off the Cumbriaimagebank.co.uk website which contains a collection of digital images created using original material from the county council's Library Service.
The website enables users to view around 7,000 images, dating back to the mid-eighteenth century, covering the whole of Cumbria.
Carlisle library will be offering family history hunters free taster sessions on a new library internet service - Ancestry.co.uk - with the chance to uncover valuable facts about their forebears' lives and times.
Local history talks have also been arranged in the city's library on: The Citadel station on Thursday 3 May; Carlisle Canal on Thursday 10 May; The City Walls on Thursday 17 May; The County Gaol on Thursday 24 May.
Other branches delving into the past include Morton library which will be giving away free information leaflets on the history of Morton Manor; Harraby library is producing two 'Walkabout Harraby' leaflets where people will be able to uncover more about the area's history; and Brampton library is producing ten copies of the rare 1893 booklet 'Brampton as I have known it' which people will be able to borrow.
Councillor Roger Bingham, cabinet member responsible for Library Services in Cumbria, said: "Carlisle's libraries are putting on an array of interesting events for Local History Month.
"This is a great opportunity for library users to learn more about the the history of their local community."
For more information on events taking place in Carlisle libraries during Local History Month, people can contact their local branch or visit the county council's website at www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries
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