Following the reorganisation of Guildhall Library and City
archive services generally, the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall
Library has now closed. Most of the archive and manuscript
collections and archive services for the City of London are now
concentrated at London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) in Clerkenwell,
a mile north east of Guildhall Library. At LMA there is the full
range of consultation facilities, conservation support,
reprographics services and spacious areas for research and study.
We anticipate that the vast majority of archives will now be
consulted at LMA.
A few important archives will continue to be housed and
consulted at Guildhall Library. The key collections are:
- The Stock Exchange archives and printed collections
- Lloyd’s of London archives and printed collections (except the
Lloyd’s Captain’s Registers, which remain at LMA)
- St Paul’s Cathedral archives (except microfilmed parish and
probate records, and marriage licences, which remain at LMA)
- Christ’s Hospital archives
- The City of London Livery Company archives (and some associated
collections)
This page summarises the process for accessing these five groups
of archives in the coming months, from April 2010 to November 2010.
As patterns of use become clearer, we will streamline the services
described here. In particular, we are in the process of creating
copies of popular series of documents and intend that, by November
2010, dual access should be possible for these heavily used
series.
Where and when can I consult archives at
Guildhall?
Archives from the five series listed above can be consulted at
Guildhall Library, on production of either a City of London History
Card or other acceptable proof of identity (passport, driving
licence, City Library card). Please request archives by writing out
application slips available at the Guildhall Library enquiries
desk.
The consultation of these archives is on the Rare Books Table in
Guildhall Library only (maximum of 8 readers). Items can be
consulted during Guildhall Library opening hours,
Monday – Saturday, 9.30am – 4.45pm
How do I obtain a City History Card or a City Library
Card?
You can apply for a History Card at LMA on submission of two
types of identity information (see
the History card application page for full
details) or for a Library Card at Guildhall Library (which
requires acceptable proof of identity). The Library Card can be
used to consult archives at Guildhall only.
How long do I have to wait before the archive item I
wish to see is delivered to my desk?
Most items from the five named collections stored at Guildhall
will be produced within 20 minutes of request on average. This
includes microfilms, which must be ordered from the stores.
Please note, 48 hours' advance notice will be
required for access to the Stock Exchange applications for listing
files (Ms 18000-18000A). This is because they are held
off-site.
What Rules and Regulations apply?
The following rules and regulations apply:
- A City History Card or City Library Card or other acceptable
proof of identity is required before access to archives is
given
- Use of lockers for coats and bags is essential
- Pencil only; laptops allowed
- Items can only be viewed at the Rare Books Table in Guildhall
Library
- 5 items can be ordered at any one time; one item will be issued
at any one time
How do I obtain copies?
There are reader/printer machines at Guildhall Library for
taking copies from microfilms. Copies cost 10p, and the machines
accept History Cards.
You are welcome to take photographs for private study of most
records from the five series listed above. You will need to buy a
Guildhall Library photo pass, which costs £2.50 per day; this acts
as a copyright declaration. You will also need to disable the flash
function on your camera.
You may also commission appropriate copies, using the
application forms available at Guildhall Library enquiries desk. It
is essential to leave contact information in case there is a need
to contact you concerning the copying request.
Please note - no copies of any kind may be
made of any original Christ’s Hospital records and certain
Clockmakers’ Company records without prior written permission from
the depositor. Please contact
ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk
or call 020 7332 3820 for more information.
How do I get further advice?
We are working to harmonise information on our website. For the
moment, please use:
- This website, which has many details concerning archives
in the care of the City of London. The catalogues are available
online to search in your particular subject area.
or
- The Guildhall Manuscripts website
www.history.ac.uk/gh,
which contains detailed advice about the MSS collections, including
access to the list of livery company membership records and to the
indexes of Lloyd’s Captains Registers.
General enquiries, particularly about business archives and
family history, contact us by sending an email to
ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
Every email is answered by specialists who are experienced in
guiding people to the relevant archives and other sources of
information. An archivist with knowledge of the collections will be
providing regular surgeries on Thursday mornings at Guildhall
Library to assist with problems relating specifically to the 5
groups of archives housed at Guildhall. Email enquiries about these
collections should be addressed, in the first instance, to
ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk,
and specialists will be available to reply to enquiries which
require particular knowledge.
We are in the process of converting all the City’s archive
catalogues into one dataset on LMA's
online catalogue.
Until the data has been fully uploaded we recommend that you
continue to use the library catalogue at
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/librarycatalogue
for access to Guildhall Manuscripts catalogues.
However, if you need assistance while this consolidation is
happening, please contact the Principal Archivist in charge of our
catalogues
at ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Access to other former Guildhall MSS
collections
Access to other former Guildhall Manuscripts collections besides
the five series listed above will be concentrated at LMA.
At least two working days’ advance notice is required for
production at LMA of original records from other former Manuscripts
collections. You may order up to ten items per day from these
collections to view at LMA. You are also welcome to email us with
lists of documents you wish to see over a number of specified days,
again provided at least 48 hours' notice is given.
Orders can be placed by email to
manuscripts.guildhall@cityoflondon.gov.uk
or in person at LMA. Please ensure that your order reaches us by
11.30am at least two working days before any planned visit (e.g. to
see documents on a Wednesday, we need to receive the order by
11.30am on the Monday).
Certain popular collections of original records previously held
by Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section have been transferred to
London Metropolitan Archives and can be viewed at LMA without any
prior formality. These include the Sun Fire Office policy registers
and the Captains’ Registers of Lloyd’s of London.
All other microfilms (besides microfilms from the five series
listed above) will remain on open access in the Information Area at
LMA.
Exceptionally, archives from former Guildhall Manuscripts
Section can be transferred back to Guildhall from LMA if, for
instance, you need to consult them in conjunction with printed
sources at Guildhall. It requires 48 hours’ advance notice and
there are some restrictions on the types of archive which can be
transported. Some may be too fragile or too large to be suitable
for transport, in which case they would be made available at
LMA.
Please contact
ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk
to request this service.
What about digital sources at Guildhall?
A dedicated
City Digital Archive area is being provided at Guildhall
Library. In this area, you will be able to view important digital
archive resources, such as the London parish registers and poor law
records. Over the coming months, the digital collection will be
growing significantly (see our web pages for more details).
How can I keep in touch with latest
developments?
If you wish to keep in touch with us as the service evolves,
please sign up to receive our regular electronic newsletter (see
our
electronic mailing list). It contains a combination of
interesting articles on new collections, recently catalogued
material, forthcoming events and service improvements.
LMA general contact details:
Email:
ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Telephone: 0207 332 3820
Postal addresses:
London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R
OHB
Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HH
Website addresses:
For LMA: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma
For Guildhall Library:
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/guildhalllibrary
For the former Guildhall Manuscripts Section:
www.history.ac.uk/gh