Local History Library & Archives
Tower Hamlets Local History Library & 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.
A lot of material about Tower Hamlets is
deposited elsewhere (notably at the London Metropolitan Archive),
but there are substantial holdings of archives relating to the
borough at the Local History Library & Archives.
Important notice: New opening hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10am-5pm
- Wednesday: 9am-5pm
- Thursday: 9am-8pm
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: (fortnightly) 9am-5pm
- Sunday: Closed.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused. For more information
and to keep up-to-date on the project, please see
our newsletter.
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
E1 4DQ
Plan your journey
Tel: 020 7364 1290
Fax: 020 7364 1292
Email: localhistory@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
