Home » Local History
Local History Library and Archives
Bancroft Library
277 Bancroft Road, London E1 4DQ
Local History: 020 7364 1290
Archives: 020 7364 1289
Fax: 020 7364 1292
email: localhistory@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives is open 10am to 8pm on Tuesday, 9am to 8pm on Thursday, 9am to 6pm on Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturday. We recommend that you make an appointment if you wish to use material on microfilm or microfiche.
Please note: The Local History and Archives will be closed from 12noon to 1pm on Saturday 27 February and Saturday 27 March 2010. The opening hours will be 9am - 12noon and 1 - 5pm.
The Local History Library and Archives will be closing for 6 - 8 weeks during building works taking place in May - June 2010. Check back for more details. A limited remote enquiry service is planned during the temporary closure. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.
Search the collection
Local History Library
- Over 20,000 books and pamphlets dating from the 17th century to the present day
- Shipping Collection
- Cuttings Collection which includes newspaper articles and printed ephemera
- 25,000 photographs and illustrations
- Digital Picture Gallery
- Over 2,000 maps and plans dating from Elizabethan times to the present day
- Online exhibitions
- Microfilms including local census returns from 1841 to 1891, local newspapers, parish registers and trade directories
- Audio-Visual Collections
Archives
'Summary Guide to the Archive Collection' is available in a PDF format [33.03KB] [10 pages]
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 dating from the 16th century, including minutes, rate books and correspondence files
- Over 8,000 deeds recording the transfer of properties in the borough
- Documents relating to many local institutions
- A selection of digitised documents available online
Services
- Handlists relating to various types of records held are available on request
- Photocopying is allowed for much of the collection depending on copyright and physical condition
- Photographic copies, subject to copyright, can be obtained; sizes and prices available on request
- An extensive range of informative publications are available for sale
- Local Societies Details of the East London History Society, the East of London Family History Society and other local organisations, are available on request.
We cannot, however, undertake detailed genealogical research on behalf of enquirers. Details of professional record agents can be obtained by contacting the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives.
