Arrangements for access to former

Guildhall Library Manuscripts collections

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)
• St Paul’s Cathedral archives (except microfilmed parish and probate records, and marriage licences)
• Christ’s Hospital archives
• The City of London Livery Company archives (and some associated collections)

This leaflet 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 Archives 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, 09:30 – 16:45

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 LMA website 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. Readers are welcome to order a maximum of five files per day.

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: 

Either the LMA 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.

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.

London Metropolitan Archives is pleased to announce that all the catalogue data relating to former Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section material has been migrated to LMA’s online catalogue and is now ready to search at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma. This is exactly the same data which was previously available on the City of London Libraries online catalogue TalisPrism, with the addition of new archival reference numbers.

Detailed advice on searching the LMA online catalogue for former Manuscripts collections can be found on the LMA website.

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 and more details can be found on the LMA website.

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 the link on the homepage of the LMA website). 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: 020 7332 3820

Postal addresses:

London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R OHB

Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury,  London EC2V 7HH

Website addresses:

For LMA: http://www.lma.gov.uk

For Guildhall Library: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/guildhalllibrary

For the former Guildhall Manuscripts Section: www.history.ac.uk/gh

Published in March 2010 by the London Metropolitan Archives