Archives and local history

Archives and local history

The Archives service is administered by the City of Westminster Archives Centre and is open every Monday from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

• Access is by appointment only and places are limited.  To book a seat, please call 020 7641 5180 or email archives@westminster.gov.uk
• For other enquiries please contact City of Westminster Archives Centre, 10 St Ann's Street, London SW1P 2DE; email archives@westminster.gov.uk; tel. 020 7641 5180. Please mention that your enquiry relates to Hammersmith and Fulham Archives
• Written enquriers will receive a reply within 10 working days.

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 other sources for family and house history. 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.

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.

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