Collections and Digital Resources

The library collections include

• Over 20,000 books and pamphlets dating from the 16th century to the present.
• Electoral registers for Tower Hamlets from 1901. Digital versions are available up to 1972 via Ancestry Library Edition.
• London trade directories from 1800.
• Cuttings and ephemera collection - over 400 boxes of newspaper cuttings, articles and ephemera, many dating from the 19th century.
• Over 25,000 photographs and illustrations. These include over 80 boxes of street scenes arranged by location. The rest of the collection by subject. You can view a selection of these in our digital image gallery.
• Over 2,000 maps and plans dating from the 17th century (with copies of 16th century) to the present. These include Ordnance Survey maps, street plans and early parish and estate maps. Some digital copies are available via Layers of London.
• Over 500 periodical titles, including local newspapers from 1853 on microfilm. Historic local and national newspapers are also available on the British Newspaper Archive.
• Local census returns for Poplar, 1821 and 1831. UK census returns from 1841 to 1891 are available on microfilm, as well as via Ancestry Library Edition which includes censuses up to 1921. Parish registers of seven of the oldest churches are also held on microfilm. 
• Over 100 films and videos on local topics. The original tapes and film reels are kept in special storage conditions at The London Archives as a result of our partnership with London’s Screen Archive. Reference copies of many titles are available to view in our reading room and a selection is also available on London’s Screen Archives, our YouTube channel, and BFI Replay (in our Reading Room only)

The archive collections include

• extensive local authority records of Tower Hamlets Council and its predecessors, the Metropolitan Boroughs of Bethnal Green, Poplar and Stepney. Dating from the 16th century to present they include minutes, files, plans and rate books.
• documents of local individuals and organisations. These include places of worship, schools, clubs, societies and some businesses.
• over 8,000 title deeds relating to properties in the borough from 1384 onward. You can search these via our online catalogue or the card index in our Reading Room, which is organised by name and place.
• audio-visual records. These include over 100 sound recordings including oral histories and over 60 films and videos of local interest.

We hold a unique collection of original paintings of the East End. Digital copies are available to view for free on the Art UK website. The originals are not available to consult in the Reading Room due to their size, specialist handling requirements and availability online.

Most of our rare and unique collections are only available to consult as originals in our Reading Room, however we also provide access to a range of free online resources. These include family history websites, newspapers, digitised archives, oral history recordings, maps and online exhibitions. You can also browse digitised historic photographs in our image gallery.

You can search and order copies of birth, marriage and death certificates online via the General Register Office.

The London Archives holds the archives of City and London-wide local government. These include records of the City of London, Greater London, Middlesex and London County Councils, as well as many organisations relating to Tower Hamlets and local Anglican parish registers. An extensive range of images of local interest are available via their London Picture Archive website.

Guildhall Library holds published material relating to London's history, including the most complete collection of historic trade directories. Further resources relating to London and the East End are available at Bishopsgate Institute Special Collections and Archives.

For records of central government including documents created by local organisations and individuals visit The National Archives or search their Discovery Catalogue for descriptions. Their catalogue can also help you find the location of archives held elsewhere in the United Kingdom. To do this click ‘extended search’ and the ‘Record Creators’ tab to search for organisations and individuals. The National Archives' Find an Archive page provides contact details for local archive repositories, including our neighbours Hackney Archives and Newham Archive and Local Studies Library.

Contact us to offer your material relating to Tower Hamlets. Items can include original documents, books and digital material.

Read our guidance for further advice.