Local Studies Library

The Local Studies Library is part of the Information Services Library on the first floor of the Central Library in Romford.

Please note that Information Services is now closed due to the refurbishment of Central Library.

If you are interested in local history, family history, want to find an old newspaper report, information about your house or street in the past, a photograph or other illustration of Havering's buildings and historical events, we may be able to help you.

Books and printed material

Primarily a late twentieth century collection covering most aspects of life in the Havering area. Standard C18th and C19th histories of Essex as well as early histories of the Havering area are available. Pamphlet collection includes periodical articles, official reports, guidebooks, news-cuttings, some sale catalogues and ephemera.

Also available are the publications of the Local and Family History societies active in Havering and practical guides, indexes, bibliographies and periodicals for Local and Family History.

Maps

Facsimiles of historical maps of Essex including Chapman and Andre 1777 are available as well as Ordnance Survey Maps of the Havering area at various scales. The collection includes EdwardGotto's 1853 map of Romford, Hornchurch andUpminster Tithe maps (view by appointment) as well as Local Authority planning maps and some architect plans.

Illustrations

The illustrations collection contains around 5,000 photographs, prints, paintings and slides. Alfred Bennett Bamford's prints of the local area at the end of the Victorian era are particularly interesting, whilst the photographic collection illustrates life in Havering over the past century.

It is possible to provide copies of items from our picture collection subject to condition and copyright.

Please make an appointment to view illustrations.

Rate books

Mainly for the Romford area, covering the period 1839 to 1968 (incomplete). Occasional Rate Books for Hornchurch as well as some twentieth century rate books for Upminster, Cranham and Rainham.

Please make an appointment to use Rate Books.

Electoral registers

Romford Constituency 1938 and 1939, then 1956 and from 1961. Hornchurch Constituency from 1947 and Upminster Constituency from its formation in 1971.

Council

Comprehensive minutes and reports for the London Borough of Havering from its creation in 1965. Also preceding authorities in the Borough including:

Local Board of Health from 1851

Romford Urban District Council from 1895

Romford Rural District Council from 1895

Romford Borough Council from 1937

Hornchurch Urban District Council from 1926

other useful sources of information include:

Burial Board Reports from 1869

Parish Council Minute Books

Medical Officer's Report from 1897

Essex County Council Minutes 1931-1967

Essex County Council Education Committee 1906-1967

Local Education Committee Minutes from 1903

Please make an appointment for C19th material

Directories

Trade directories for Essex. Pigot's 1834, White's History Gazetteer and Directory 1848, 1863, Post Office Directory 1855 and 1859 and Kelly's 1878 - 1937.

Telephone Directories earliest Romford, Hornchurch and District 1936. Havering area residential and business telephone directories from 1956.

Also almanacs, directories and town guides dating from the early twentieth century as well as local Chamber of Commerce Yearbooks and Official Guides to Havering and its predecessors.

Newspapers

Essex Times (microfilm) 1866 - 1937

Romford Times (microfilm) 1913-1968

Hornchurch and Romford Express (microfilm) 1969-1979

Romford Recorder (microfilm) 1934-

Hornchurch and Upminster News (microfilm) 1936-1965

Hornchurch and Upminster Echo (microfilm) 1965-1974

Havering Echo (microfilm) 1974-1980

Occasional series' of other titles available

Please book microfilm/fiche readers in advance

Family history

Census 1901 & 1891 Complete registration districts for West Ham, Romford, Epping, Ongar, Orsett, Billericay, Chelmsford, Rochford, Dunmow (covering the southern part of the county of Essex) microfiche. Street indexes for West Ham & Romford districts.

1881, 1871, 1861, 1851, 1841 - area currently included in the Borough(microfilm/fiche)

1881 British census (CD-Rom)

vouchers for 1901 Census online can be purchased in the library

GRO index to births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales 1837-1950 (microfiche )

I.G.I. 1992 edition. United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Channel Isles) (Microfiche)

Parish Registers

The following are available on microfiche or microfilm. Dates are for earliest and latest. Coverage varies for individual ceremonies.

Cranham, All Saints baptisms, marriages and burials mid C16th to mid C20th

Havering-atte-Bower, St. John the Evangelist christenings, marriages, banns and burials mid C17th to early C20th

Hornchurch, St. Andrews baptisms, marriages and burials mid C16th to late C19th.

North Ockendon, St. Mary Magdalene baptisms, marriages and burials late C16th to early C19th

Rainham, St. Helen & St. Giles baptisms, marriages banns and burials 1570 to mid C20th.

Romford, Congregational Church, Bethel Chapel baptisms 1812-1837

Romford, St. Edward the Confessor baptisms, banns, marriages and burials mid C16th to mid C19th.

Romford, Wesleyan Chapel baptisms 1835-1837

Upminster, Congregational Church, Upminster Hill Independent Chapel baptisms 1801-1837

Upminster, St. Laurence baptisms, marriages and burials mid C16th to early C20th

Wennington, St. Mary and St. Peter mid C17th to mid C20th

Crow Lane Cemetery burial index 1871-1953 (CD-Rom)

St. Andrew's Church , Hornchurch burial index 1576-2000 (CD-Rom).

Soldiers Died In The Great War (CD-ROM)

Army Roll Of Honour 1939-45 (CD-ROM)

Please book microfilm/fiche readers in advance

Computers and the Internet

A PC is available for using CD-ROM's and The Peoples Network allows free access to the Internet.

It is advisable to book in advance for computers and access to the Internet

Enquiries

Enquiries are accepted in person, by post, e-mail, telephone or fax. Where copies are produced and/or a postal response made, a charge may be made to cover costs.

Contact

Simon Donoghue, Local Studies Librarian,

London Borough of Havering, Central Library,

St Edward's Way, Romford RM1 3AR

Tel: 01708 432393/4. Fax no.: 01708 432391

e-mail Simon.Donoghue@havering.gov.uk

Appointments

Appointments aren't necessary, except where indicated. Advance notice can save you time and improves the service we offer. 

Donations

Many items in the Local Studies Library have been received through the generosity of residents past and present. Do you have photographs, books, pamphlets, or any other items relating to the Havering area, either historical or contemporary which you are prepared to donate to the local studies collection or which we can copy?

If you can help please contact the Local Studies Librarian.

Opening hours

Monday	10am-8pm
Tuesday	9am-8pm
Wednesday	9am-8pm
Thursday	9am-8pm
Friday	9am-8pm
Saturday	9am-4pm