Waltham Forest Archives and local studies library

Waltham Forest Archives and Local Studies Library are located at Chingford Assembly Hall, The Green, Station Road, London E4 7EN. Research visits are by prior appointment only. Please email wfa.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk.

We hold on one site a wide range of manuscript, printed and pictorial resources which can be used to discover the history of our borough and its communities. We can help if you are interested in researching:
• your family history in Waltham Forest
• the history of your house or street
• the development of the local area
• local history topics for a school project or for academic research

Archives

Our archive sources include records of:

Anglican parishes since 1575 (including parish registers)
Chingford Mount Cemetery
Local authorities
Places of worship
Schools
Properties and historic buildings
Businesses
Clubs and societies

Local studies library

Our printed sources include:

Local newspapers
Trade directories
Electoral registers which are more than 10 years old
Council minutes and reports up to 2007
Ordnance Survey and other maps
Secondary sources including biographies and histories of organisations

Lists of Local Studies Library subject files (some files may contain limited information)

Biography: list of some files held in Searchroom
Buildings: list of all files held in Searchroom
Business and Industry: list of historical businesses and industries in Waltham Forest. Inclusion in this list does not imply that we hold sources for a business except as indicated.

Your visit

We are open by prior appointment only on

Alternate Wednesdays 10:30 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00
Thursday 10:30 to12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00
Friday 10:30 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00
Alternate Saturdays 10:30 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00

Free Wi-Fi is available in our Searchroom

Chingford Assembly Hall entrance and our ground floor Searchroom are fully accessible. An accessible unisex toilet is located in the foyer.

Chingford Assembly Hall is accessible via local bus routes including routes 97, 212, 179, 313, 379 & 385. It is a short walk from Chingford Station, which is on the overground Weaver Line from London Liverpool Street.