Local history & archives library

Tower Hamlets Local History and Archives library 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.

A lot of material about Tower Hamlets is deposited elsewhere (notably at the Greater London Record Office), but there are substantial holdings of archives relating to the borough at the Local History and Archives library.

Temporary closure and reduced service of the local history library

The Local History Library & Archive service will close temporarily during building works at Bancroft Library, which are due to begin in August 2010. The exact date of the closure will be advertised as soon as it is known.

During the works we are taking the opportunity to rearrange and refresh the reading room, creating more space and better conditions for users and staff.  In order to make the necessary preparations for this project, we will be offering a reduced service during June and July 2010.

Local history library opening times from Wednesday 30 June until temporary service closure in August 2010

• Monday: CLOSED
• Tuesday: CLOSED
• Wednesday: CLOSED
• Thursday: 9am - 5pm
• Friday: 9am - 5pm
• Saturday: 9am - 5pm
• Sunday: CLOSED

Following building works, the library will re-open at the end of September 2010. During this period we will continue to offer a remote enquiry service via phone and email. Contact localhistory@towerhamlets.gov.uk or call 020 7364 1290.

We regret the inconvenience this reduction in service may cause to our users.

Disabled access to reading room

We regret that there is no wheelchair access to the reading room, located on the first floor. However, by prior arrangement, materials can be produced for wheelchair users on the ground floor. Please contact us well in advance of your visit to make an appointment in order to ensure we are able to assist you.

Materials available at the library

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.

For historical birth, marriage and death certificates contact the borough registry office.

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.

Services

• Hand lists relating to various types of records held are available on request.
• Photocopying of the collection is allowed 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 us:

Local History and Archives Library
277 Bancroft Road
El 4DQ

Tel: 020 7364 1290
Fax: 020 7364 1292

Email: localhistory@towerhamlets.gov.uk.