Researching History

Where do I start?

If you are very new to historical research perhaps the best way to learn the ropes of historical research is at a history evening class where you can get advice and support from a tutor and fellow students. See our courses section for a London-based selection; also try you local Adult Education Centre or university which may offer short courses; your local library is a good place to find details.If you are interested in researching a historical topic a good place to start is your local archive, which should have a decent set of reference books as well as records and documents which may be relevant to your chosen area. In the London area, this list of archives and local studies libraries might be useful. Of course the internet is another very rich source of historical source materials as increasing amounts of archive material is digitised and made available online. For the UK a good place to start is British History Online which has an incredible range of maps, records and reference books including the Victoria County History series which is an authoritative source for local history http://www.british-history.ac.uk/ See our useful resources section for more useful historical websites. Another good source of advice and inspiration are other researchers/historians – come along to one of our events or seminar groups to meet them and other like-minded people. Our events are usually free. You can also find more seminar groups to join at the Institute of Historical Research. Usually you can just turn up and give your name/contact details to join. Seminars typically last between one and two hours; a speaker will give a talk followed by questions and discussion afterwards. After a seminar, it is common for group members to go for a drink or a meal with the speaker afterwards – this is a great opportunity to get to know people who may well be researching in your area of interest. In London the following archives are free to use and have particularly strong collections of London history books and other historical materials you may find useful. Don’t be afraid to ask librarians for help. Check their websites for directions, opening times and what to bring (eg the London Metropolitan Archives requires ID).

Bishopsgate Library at the Bishopsgate Institute (near Liverpool St Station)

The Bishopsgate Library at the Bishopsgate Institute has been collecting contemporary library and archive material since its opening in 1895 and holds a variety of fascinating and valuable sources for the study of social, cultural and topographical history of London from the nineteenth century to the present day. Highlights include: London Collection comprising c45,000 books, pamphlets, maps, photographs and ephemera concerning the social, cultural and topographical history of London, with particular reference to the East End; the Raphael Samuel collection, including research papers on London and the East End; oral history recordings; the London History Workshop collection - a photographic collection concerning the social and cultural history of London; and the Co-operative Movement Collection, including books, archives and pamphlets of the London Co-operative Society, Women's Co-operative Guild and co-operation, both nationally and internationally, from the mid-nineteenth century to the modern day.

Address: 230 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4QH Tel: 020 7392 9270 http://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/

 

Guildhall Library (Bank/St Pauls/Moorgate tube)

The original Library at Guildhall was founded in the 1420s under the terms of the will of Richard Whittington. Today, it is a major public reference library which specialises in the history of London, especially the City, as well as having other significant collections. The collections held at Guildhall Library are designated as national and international importance.

Address: Aldermanbury, EC2V 7HH Tel 020 7332 1868 / 020 7332 1870 http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/and search for ‘Guildhall library’

 

London Metropolitan Archives(Farringdon tube or bus)

London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) is the archive repository for many London-wide organisations. The archives of the City of London Corporation (COL) and the former Greater London Council (GLC), London County Council (LCC), Middlesex County Council (MCC) and their predecessors are held here. LMA also holds records for many religious, public, business, local authority and other organisations based in London. The dates of items that can be found here range from medieval to the present day, and the collections are constantly expanding. It also offers FREE use ancestry.co.uk

Address: 40 Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 0HB Tel: 020 7332 3820 http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk and search for ‘LMA’