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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 currently open 9am - 5pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. We recommend that you make an appointment if you wish to use material on microfilm or microfiche.
Temporary closure and reduced service
We will be closing the service temporarily during the building works which are now expected to begin in September We will take the opportunity of the disruption caused by the building works to rearrange and refresh the reading room, creating more space and better conditions for users and staff. The exact date of the closure will be advertised as soon as it is known. In order to make the necessary preparations for this project, we will be offering a reduced reading room service over the summer months.
We are currently offering a reduced service as follows:
Thursday: 9 - 5
Friday: 9 - 5
Saturday: 9 - 5
Following building works the library will re-open at the end of October 2010.
Outside these hours we will offer a limited 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.
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.
