City of Westminster Archives Centre

WELCOME

The City of Westminster Archives Centre holds extensive collections relating to family, local, business and community history. Among our resources are: books, pamphlets, directories, newspapers, journals, maps & plans, over 60,000 prints, drawings & photographs, local government records from 1460, electoral registers, census returns, parish registers, and business archives.

Access to our search room is free of charge and no appointment is required - all we ask is that you register on your first visit, sign in on subsequent visits and follow the rules for handling materials.

Please note that WESTCAT - our online archives catalogue - is currently unavailable.  Please accept our apologies.  

NEWS AND EVENTS

WESTMINSTER CITY ARCHIVES and The People's Record: celebrating the Cultural Olympiad and the 2012 Olympic Games - details here

WILLIAM BLAKE COLLECTION AND EVENTS AT WESTMINSTER ARCHIVES CENTRE: From July to October 2009, The Blake Society is bringing a series of events celebrating the life of William Blake to Westminster Archives Centre, home of the Preston Blake Collection.

ST MARYLEBONE THROUGH THE AGES - a new CD-Rom from Westminster City Archives & Manuscripti - details here

CROSSING THE WHITE LINE: the Walter Tull Exhibition - find venues and dates here 

Please note that we can supply copies of baptism, marriage and burial entries from most of the parish registers that we hold. We also have the General Register Office indexes on microfiche for you to consult. We do not have copies of the certificates nor can you order certificates from us. The General Register Office supplies certificates. Alternatively, if you are looking for copies of Westminster, Paddington and Marylebone Birth, Marriage or Death certificates from 1837 use this link to the Westminster Registrar's Office.  

 Anyone is welcome to visit the Archives Centre and you do not need an appointment. You might like to telephone first in case there is any change in the opening hours, or to check that we have the material you wish to consult.

Last admission: 10 minutes before closing

Last production of archives: 30 minutes before closing

How to find us 

Access for people with disabilities:

	Wheelchair access. There is a short drive with a steep downward gradient to the entrance which is level.
	Public access to the search room on the 5th floor is via a lift which is suitable for use by wheelchair users and others with impaired mobility.
	There is level access on the ground floor to the wheelchair accessible toilet.
	There is level access to the meeting room on the ground floor.
	There is an induction loop in the meeting room.
	Registered assistance dogs are welcome.

More information about access to Westminster libraries.