Where to find local collections:
Aberdeen Local Studies, Central Library, Aberdeen
Online
http://www.silvercityvault.org.uk/
Aberdeen City Archives
- Books – non fiction
Aberdeen Almanack in 1796 [[In Antiquarian books of Scotland] https://digital.nls.uk/117715966
Reminiscences of a police officer in the granite city by Alexander Clark in 1873 [In Antiquarian books of Scotland] https://digital.nls.uk/125334510
Works of George Dalgarno of Aberdeen, 1834 by Thomas Maitland [In Publications by Scottish clubs] https://digital.nls.uk/82482356
Diary of Alexander Jaffray, provost of Aberdeen by Alexander Jaffray in 1883 [in Histories of Scottish Families] https://digital.nls.uk/94779219
- Book – fiction
The lilt, and other verses, 1922 by Marion Angus [In Works by selected Scottish authors] https://digital.nls.uk/128693574
The Cheviot, the stag, and the black, black oil, 1973 by John McGarth [In 12 Key Scottish Plays. First performed in Aberdeen Arts Centre] https://digital.nls.uk/scottish-theatre/cheviot/index.html
- Film
No Strings Attached filmed by Mr R G Giuliani Dec’d, 1959 [In Moving Image Archive. A film about the Puppet Theatre in Aberdeen] https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/4539
Fishmarket – Aberdeen filmed by James Clark circa 1950s [In Moving Image Archive] https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/2935
Auchterturra attributed to Group 5, 1982 [In Moving Image Archive. Comic performance by one the characters from ‘Scotland the What?’] https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/4216
- Manuscript collection
Brus by John Balfour, 1489 [In Early Scottish Manuscripts] https://digital.nls.uk/75514441
Leaves and fragments used in the binding of a volume by William Elphinstone, 1510 [In Aberdeen Breviary] https://digital.nls.uk/75172958
- Maps
Over 200 years of Aberdonian maps can be viewed here: https://maps.nls.uk/towns/aberdeen.html
Here are a few examples:
Abredoniae novae et veteris descriptio = A description of new and of old Aberdeens, with the places neerest adjacent by James Gordon, 1661 [In Map Images] https://maps.nls.uk/view/74400885
Aberdeen – Harbour by Thomas Telford, ca. 1828 [In Map Images] https://maps.nls.uk/view/218516639
City of Aberdeen street plan with easy index to streets, 1945 [In Map Images] https://maps.nls.uk/view/142842470
- An eResource
Variation and Change in Aberdeen English: A Sociophonetic Study by Thorsten Brato, 2016 [In VLE Reader. This study explores the changes to the Aberdonian dialect] https://www-vlebooks-com.nls.idm.oclc.org/Vleweb/Product/Index/903196
- A business
Economic impact of Aberdeen Harbour Nigg Bay Development by Scottish Enterprise, 2013 [Monograph found via LibrarySearch. Aberdeen Harbour is one of the oldest businesses in Britain; Aberdeen Harbour Board was established in 1136] https://www.nls.uk/e-monographs/2020/218516477.23.pdf
- A person
Life and the astonishing adventures of Peter Williamson [In Chapbooks printed in Scotland. William was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery] https://digital.nls.uk/104185750
George Ramage’s diary, 1915by George Ramage [In War Experiences] https://digital.nls.uk/great-war/soldier/diary.html
- A song or piece of music
New song, to the tune of Cauld kail in Aberdeen, 1818 [In Chapbook printed in Scotland] https://digital.nls.uk/104184651
Cantus, songs and fancies, 1682 by John Forbes [In Special Collections of Printed Music] https://digital.nls.uk/87697848
- A ghost/mythical creature
The devil in Scotland. Being four great Scottish stories of diablerie [I.e. Tam o’ Shanter], 1934 compiled by Douglas Percy Bliss [This collection includes a story about a coven of Aberdonian witches. Found through LibrarySearch] http://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/1275/8861/127588610.23.pdf
- A castle or other historic building
King’s College of Old Aberdeen, 1828-1829 by John Spalding and edited by James Skene[In Publications by Scottish Clubs. This plate was published by the Bannatyne Club. The plate is believed to have been painted by Jamieson] https://digital.nls.uk/79762353
Cathedral of St. Machars, Old Aberdeen, 1828-1829 by John Spalding and edited by James Skene[In Publications by Scottish Clubs. This plate was published by the Bannatyne Club] https://digital.nls.uk/79756384
- Food
Anonymous recipe book for households in Aberdeen and London, circa 1881-1886 [In Recipes from Scotland] https://digital.nls.uk/102697319
- A photograph
Plate 15 and 16 – Aberdeen and Aderdeen Castlegate in Travels in Scotland 1788-1881 edited by Alastair J. Durie in 2012 [In Scottish History Society] https://digital.nls.uk/128328002
- Further reading
Hidden Aberdeen: History on Your Doorstep and under Your Feet by Fiona-Jane Brown in 2013.
Quarry Wood by Nan Sheppard in 1928
The Granite Men: A History of the Granite Industries of Aberdeen and North East Scotland by Jim Feddes in 2019.