Local history & archives

Tower Hamlets local history library and archives covers the area of the present-day London Borough of Tower Hamlets; the original East End of London which, until 1965, comprised of the Boroughs of Bethnal Green, Poplar and Stepney.

If you are interested in a building in the borough, tracing your ancestors who lived here, doing a school or college project on some aspect of the borough or are just feeling nostalgic, we may well be able to help you.

Local history library

Books and pamphlets - The local history library holds over 20,000 printed books and pamphlets dating from the 17th century to the present day. These provide extensive coverage of the many differing aspects of the recorded history of Tower Hamlets. The Library includes an important 'shipping collection' which, as well as covering local subjects, includes general material relating to the history of merchant shipping.

Cuttings - The cuttings collection, which is contained in over 400 boxes, includes newspaper and periodical cuttings and articles and printed ephemera, a substantial amount of which dates from the 19th century.

Illustrations - The library holds about 25,000 illustrations, mainly photographs. There are over 80 boxes of photographs of general street scenes arranged alphabetically, while the remainder are arranged by subject

Maps - Well over 2,000 maps and plans are held dating from Elizabethan times to the present day. The collection includes large-scale Ordnance Survey maps, street plans and some parish and estate maps.

Microfilms - The library holds on microfilm, copies of census returns for the whole Borough, from 1841 to 1891; various local newspapers from 1853; parish registers of seven of the oldest parish churches and London trade directories.

Audio-visual collections - About 100 sound recordings and 60 films and videos of local interest are held.

Digital picture gallery - The new look Digital Gallery will showcase historical images of the borough’s streets and buildings, people and communities.

Archives

While there are substantial holdings of archives relating to the borough, much of Tower Hamlets material is deposited elsewhere (notably at the Greater London Record Office).

Local authority records - There are extensive holdings of records of the Borough and its predecessors dating in some cases from the 16th century. These include minutes, rate books and correspondence files.

Deeds - There are over 8,000 deeds recording the transfer of properties in the Borough, which are indexed by name and place.

Other archives In addition the archives hold documents relating to many local institutions, including some places of worship and schools, local clubs and societies, and some businesses.

Services

Hand lists relating to various types of records held are available on request.

Photocopying is allowed of much of the collection depending on copyright and physical condition.

Photographic copies, subject to copyright, can be obtained; sizes and prices available on request.

Publications - An extensive range of informative publications are available for sale at the local history library and also many of the community libraries.

Local societies details of the East London History Society, the East of London Family History Society and other local organisations, are available on request.

Contact

For more information on local history or archive services, contact:

Local History and Archives Library
277 Bancroft Road
London El 4DQ

Local History: 020 7364 1290
Archives: 020 7364 1289
Fax: 020 7364 1292
E-mail: localhistory@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Open: Tue, Thu 9-8, Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5

Books available to buy from the local history archive section.

Pid No: 448