We are the official repository for the records of local government in Hampshire.
Local government records for Portsmouth and Southampton are held in those cities and for Bournemouth and Christchurch at Dorset History Centre. Records for the Isle of Wight are held at Isle of Wight Record Office (however records of pre 1890 county government are within Hampshire Quarter Sessions.
Responsibilities have included repair of roads and bridges, supervision of prisons and asylums, public works, the police force and licensing.
Andover: records date from 1205. From 1974, Andover became part of Test Valley Borough Council.
Basingstoke: records date from 1284
Winchester: records date from c1155
Created in 1895, district councils were set up in areas which were outside the control of a borough. Responsibilities include housing, planning, rating, refuse collection and roads. They also took over pre-existing burial boards, highway boards, boards of health and sanitary authorities.
Around 250 civil parish councils were established in 1894 to take over administrative functions of the parish. Responsibilities can include allotments, burial grounds, drainage, lighting, planning, recreation, street furniture and village halls.