Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, TW9 1TP - Getting here
Email: localstudies@richmond.gov.uk
Phone: 020 8734 3309
The history of Richmond upon Thames will be celebrated throughout September 2019 with our annual Know Your Place heritage festival.
With our new online catalogue you can search thousands of records from the archives of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, covering Barnes, East Sheen, Ham, Hampton, Hampton Hill, Hampton Wick, Kew, Mortlake, Petersham, Richmond, Teddington, Twickenham and Whitton.
Cataloguing work is ongoing, and we are regularly updating the database. If you cannot find what you are looking for you can contact us.
The catalogue includes a large collection of building plans which have been catalogued and scanned with funding provided by HLF.
The Local Studies team publishes some of its local history notes about people and places in the borough online. There is also a set of illustrated timelines.
Amongst our online reference services, Richmond Libraries also has a subscription to Ancestry Library Edition, the leading family history website. Please note that this can only be used on library premises.
From our Local Studies Collection, take a walk down Hill Street, a study of Victorian Richmond upon Thames.
We are a partner in the ThamesPilot project, which provides historic material from the archives and museums along the River Thames.
Many people are interested in their family history. There are several places where you can find out information, and there are many useful links to external websites.
Put your best foot forward and learn more about the history of Richmond upon Thames with our fascinating health walks.
Local Studies has recently received a ledger, dated 1913-1923, from a doctor's practice in the Hampton Hill area (the name of the practice is not given in the ledger, but one of the doctors is a Dr Atkinson). The ledger records doctors' visits to households. Due to the presence of personal data, this ledger will be closed to the public until 2024. However, members of the public who wish to access copies of their own data are welcome to get in touch with Local Studies.
The opening hours for the Local Studies Library and Archive will be changing from Tuesday 7 May 2019.
The new opening hours offer a tailored search service and enable further development and digitisation of local collections, preserving the ever expanding archive of local resources and allowing the community to engage with their local heritage.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning visits will be by appointment and the afternoons will be a drop-in where anyone can visit and make enquiries. Alternate Saturdays from 11 May onwards will also be available for drop-ins.
Appointments for morning visits will need to be booked one working day in advance. Tuesday mornings should be booked on the preceding Friday.
To book an appointment, contact Local Studies:
Email: localstudies@richmond.gov.uk
Phone: 020 8734 3309
See the full opening times for the Local Studies Library and Archive to plan your visit.
For security, visitors to Local Studies will be required to leave their bags in the lockers in the second floor foyer, and to hang their outdoor coats on the hooks provided.