Archives and local history

What service do we provide?

The Archives and Local History Centre holds the archives and local history collections for Hammersmith and Fulham, including documents, books, maps, photographs and paintings, old newspapers and family history sources such as the census returns. These historical resources tell the story of the borough and its people. As well as the council’s own records, the centre takes in material from organisations and people in the community, and we are always happy to talk to anyone who wishes to deposit material.

Everyone is welcome to visit the centre when it is open (see below for opening hours). Photographs and photocopies of most of the items in the collections can be obtained. In addition, the centre provides a research service by phone, post or email. The research service is free but is limited to short searches.

Staff at the centre can give talks on local history topics both onsite or elsewhere, and special events such as open days, seminars, exhibitions and historical walks are often provided (see HFM for advance notice of such events).

There may be opportunities for volunteers to help with projects such as indexing or transcribing old records. Please contact the Borough Archivist if you are interested.

Administrative history

The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham comprises the former Metropolitan Boroughs of Fulham and Hammersmith. Both were in the county of Middlesex before 1889 and in the county of London from 1889 to 1965. 

Although Hammersmith was part of the ancient parish of Fulham until 1834, Hammersmith vestry was responsible for the administration of the Hammersmith part of the parish from the early 17th century. The Fulham District Board of Works was created in 1855 and covered both Fulham and Hammersmith parishes until it was abolished in 1886. 

From 1837 to 1845 the parishes of Fulham and Hammersmith were part of the Kensington Poor Law Union. In 1845 the two parishes united to form the Fulham Union. This was dissolved in 1899 and the parishes became the separate unions of Fulham and Hammersmith until 1930. 

Holdings 

Full list of current archive holdings

The Archives and Local History Centre opened in 1992 and amalgamated the holdings of the Archives Department at Shepherds Bush Library, the Fulham Local Collection at Fulham Library and the Hammersmith Local Collection at Hammersmith Library. 

Catalogues and indexes 

The catalogues are in the process of being converted into an electronic database. 

• General card index for the archive collections; includes entries for personal names, place, subject and enquiries. 
• Separate author, title, subject, biographical, street names and classified indexes covering the Fulham and Hammersmith Local Collections.   
• Slide collection index. 
• Lists of many of the record groups in the archive collection.                     

Postal, email and telephone enquiries 

Staff will undertake short searches for enquirers.   

Answering machine for messages when staff are not available. 

Services 

• Photographic service; reproduction fees charged when appropriate.   
• Photocopying facilities; staff-operated. Original or fragile material is not suitable for photocopying. 
• Microform reader/printers. 
• Publications, reproduction maps, postcards and greetings cards on sale; list available. 
• Talks to groups by arrangement; fees charged.                     

Related collections held elsewhere 

Museum of Fulham Palace  - Museum collection and published material relating to Fulham Palace and the Bishops of London. 

Museum of Fulham Palace   
Bishops Avenue 
London   
SW6 6EA 

020 7736 3233 

www.fulhampalace.org

Leighton House Museum - Holds on loan the Cecil French Bequest of pictures (see under Illustrations). 

Leighton House Museum 
12 Holland Park Road 
London   
W14 8LZ 

020 7602 3316