Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre (MALSC)

MALSC is the place to visit for anyone interested in researching the history, geography and people of the Medway area. The centre houses special collections on Charles Dickens, Chatham Dockyard and Medway’s naval history.

Local and family historians, researchers, students and business users are encouraged to use the public searchroom in Strood, where an extensive range of resources is available.

Book in advance

Plan your visit and find out about opening hours, directions and contact details. Bookings are required for some equipment and for access to original archive material: CityArk: Search the Archives.

Index to local newspapers

MILN: Medway Index to Local Newspapers has more than 10,000 references to articles in local newspapers. New references are added weekly.

Kent Family History Society

The Medway Branch has a membership of more than 400. Its aim is to help members discover and compile their family history. It holds regular monthly meetings with speakers on the last Thursday of the month at 1.30pm for a 2pm start at Strood Library. Find out more about the Kent Family History Society: (www.kfhsocietymedway.ik.com).

Library collections

The main reference collection of local studies material is held at MALSC, while a smaller collection is kept at Gillingham Reference Library and some of the larger Medway libraries.

Lending collections of local studies material are also kept in all Medway libraries. Consult the Medway Libraries catalogue for information on holdings. This also includes copies of local studies titles held by the branch libraries, some of which are available for loan.

Medway Images

Medway Images is a useful resource for anyone interested in the history, industry and culture of the Medway area. It contains pictures from the 19th century to the present day. There are approximately 100 illustrations so far, mainly showing Chatham town centre and Chatham Dockyard, home of the Royal Navy until 1984. It is planned to add further images of Chatham, Rochester, Strood, Gillingham and the surrounding rural area.

Medway Timeline

More information about the Medway Towns of Rochester, Strood, Chatham, Gillingham can be found on the Medway Timeline: a brief history of Medway from pre-history to the present day.

Lower Medway Valley

Information on the history of people and work in the Lower Medway Valley, including the history of the papermaking industry, can be found at England's Past for Everyone (www.englandspastforeveryone.org.uk/Counties/Kent/Explore/Landing).