Local history collections
Find out about the local history information, resources and collections available to visitors to the centre.
Collection Policy
Our collection and acquisition policy and statement of aims
History books
A large collection of books about the history of Islington and aspects of local life.
‘Streets with a story: the book of Islington’
(An A-Z local street gazetteer)
Local maps
Maps from the 1700s onwards, including large-scale Ordnance Survey maps from the 1870s.
Illustrations
Photographs, paintings, drawings and engravings of local scenes, places, people and events.
Our collection of oil paintings is now available to view free online on the BBC's Your Paintings website.
Newspapers, periodicals and cuttings
Local newspapers, church and business magazines from the 19th century onwards, including the 'Islington Gazette' on microfilm from 1856 to date. Also, a large collection of cuttings on Islington related topics from newspapers, journals and books.
Pamphlets and ephemera
A wide range of documents including leaflets, handbills, trade cards, programmes and playbills, commercial receipts and invoices and advertisements.
Electoral registers
Registers for the area now covered by the London Borough of Islington from 1873 to date.
Street and trade directories
Directories are available from the early 19th century onwards, listing businesses and some residents’ details.
Census returns
Microfilm copies of the Finsbury and Islington census areas from 1841 to 1901 at ten-year intervals.
Workhouse records
18th and 19th century Clerkenwell Workhouse settlement examination books. Also, 19th century admission and discharge books, indoor and outdoor relief books and other selected records for Clerkenwell.
Parish registers
Microfilm copies of baptism, marriage and burial registers for St Mary Islington parish (16th to late 19th centuries). Also printed copies of St James Clerkenwell parish registers from 1551 to 1754.
Local authority records
Records of the vestries of St James Clerkenwell, St Luke Old Street and St Mary Islington, including minute books and rate books. Records of the metropolitan boroughs of Finsbury and Islington, including council and committee minutes, rate books and publications. Other material including records related to various local baths, including Ironmonger Row baths.
First World War resources
A small amount of material including photographs and books.
Second World War resources
Civil defence records for the former metropolitan boroughs of Islington and Finsbury, plus bomb damage photographs and maps, newspaper cuttings and books.
