Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section

Access arrangements

Access to all records held by the Section will be provided through the reading rooms at London Metropolitan Archives. Our distance enquiry service will continue as normal.

These notes explain how to access Guildhall Manuscripts collections at LMA.

Do I need to order documents in advance?

Microfilm: All records currently viewed on microfilm in Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section will be freely available for consultation on microfilm at LMA.  You do not need to order microfilms in advance.

Microfilmed records include City parish registers, will registers and act books, marriages licences (to 1900), Christ's Hospital admission records, Bunhill Fields interment order books and some livery company records.  

If you are not sure whether particular records are on microfilm, please email us or call 020 7332 1862/1863. Your call will be automatically diverted to LMA.

Original records: At least two working days advance notice will be required for the production at LMA of all original manuscripts stored at Guildhall.*

Orders will be collected, and documents made available, according to the following timetable:

* With certain exceptions – see below for further details

How many original documents can I order?

You may order up to ten items per day from the Guildhall stores for consultation at LMA.

Before ordering, please check our catalogue for any part numbers or access restrictions.  You are welcome to email us for specific advice. Please note: at least two working days notice is required for all items even those currently marked 24 hours notice on the catalogue.

How do I order original documents?

By email.

In person at London Metropolitan Archives:  You can order Guildhall documents at LMA using the latter's document request slips.

You will need to complete one ticket per item, and it is important that you use pencil.

Please add a contact number or email to at least one ticket so that we can contact you in case of any queries. Your data will not be used for any other purpose. 

Please then hand your ticket(s) to a member of staff at the Information Point at LMA.  Staff will check the tickets and confirm your order for collection.

We will try to fulfil all document requests but we cannot guarantee delivery of records if tickets have not been passed to staff for checking, or if no contact details are given.

We regret that we cannot take orders for documents over the telephone.

Can I order documents for a specific date in the future?

Yes. Please order by email or in person at LMA as described above, clearly stating the date when the documents are required.

Can I place documents on reserve?

Yes. Please advise staff in the Archive Study Area at LMA that you wish to keep a document on reserve and tell them when you will return. If you need to change your plans, please let us know.

Please note that reserved manuscripts will be returned to Guildhall Library if not claimed on the date requested.  Owing to shortage of storage space we are unable to keep manuscripts on reserve indefinitely.

Can I still get copies of documents?

Microfilms

LMA have self-service microfilm printers which you are welcome to use for taking copies from Manuscripts microfilms.

As of 2nd April 2009, readers will need a History Card to make use of the full suite of printing facilities at LMA.

To register for a History Card, please see the LMA website or email.

In the future you will need a History Card to gain access to original documents in the Archive Study Area.  You will not need a History Card to look at copies of documents in the Information Area, or to access online or microfiche/film resources. 

Original documents

LMA allows users to bring their own cameras to take pictures of documents. You can apply for a self service photography permit which is valid for one day.

A charge of £2.45 is payable per day for the permit which allows the use of digital and traditional cameras.

Flash photography is not permitted under any circumstances - users of this service will be required to demonstrate that they can turn their flash off.

You need to complete a self-service photography form before using the service. Copies of the form can be downloaded from the LMA website.

How do I get to London Metropolitan Archives?

London Metropolitan Archives is at 40 Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 0HB

Telephone: 020 7332 3820

Opening hours

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am - 4.45pm
Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am - 7.30pm

Saturday opening:

LMA will be open on the following Saturdays from 9.30am - 4.45pm

Closures

LMA is closed on all bank holidays as well as the dates shown below:

For full details of access to LMA please see www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma 

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US WITH ANY QUERIES YOU MAY HAVE