Local studies and archives
Our local studies and archives online catalogue has more than 22,000 records, including more than 500 digitised images.
To search, select ‘Kensington and Chelsea Local Studies and Archives’ from the drop-down menu in the Repository field and enter key words into the ‘Any Text’ search field.
Material can be accessed by visiting our department. Please take a note of the reference numbers and email us at [email protected] to book an appointment to visit. Providing references allows us to retrieve items in advance.
Search the local studies and archives catalogue.
About local studies and archives
Our local studies collection contains all the borough's material on the history of both Kensington and Chelsea including:
- books
- newspapers
- illustrations including prints, photographs, paintings and drawings
- maps including ordnance survey, parish and general maps of London
- census returns
- electoral registers
- manuscripts
- ephemera and other archive material
Read more about:
Visit the archives
The archive collection is housed at Kensington Central Library.
If you want to see any archive records you need make an appointment first. Please note that there are a limited number of spaces available, and browsing and study will not be possible during days that the service is closed.
Please do not make travels plans until you have had your appointment confirmed.
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone 020 7361 3038
Opening hours
| Day | Times |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 1pm to 5pm – Appointments only |
| Wednesday | 10am to 5pm – Appointments only |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
Local newspapers
We hold local newspapers on microfilm for:
- Kensington 1855 to 2004
- Chelsea 1865 to 1999
If you want to view microfilm copies:
- call us to make a booking 020 7361 3038
- printed copies cost 25p each
We also hold some back copies of more recent local newspapers such as:
- The Kensington and Chelsea Chronicle
- The Kensington and Chelsea Gazette
Read our blog
The Library Time Machine is our blog. It explores past lives and history of Kensington and Chelsea.
Read The Library Time Machine.
Kensingtonand Chelsea's Great War
Our website showcases Kensington and Chelsea’s Great War memories and local historical material including:
- recruitment posters
- photos
- old documents
- family memories of local people
Read more about Kensington and Chelsea's Great War.
Digital images and reproduction fees
Digital imaging and printing
Our local studies and archives online catalogue has more than 22,000 records, including more than 500 digitised images.
| Digital Imaging Price List 2024 - 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Self-service photography | |
| Non-commercial research: | £6.00 per day |
| Commercial research | £15.00 per day |
| Microfilm and screenshots | |
| Non-commercial research: | £6.00 per day |
| Commercial research | £15.00 per day |
| Digital files | |
| Low resolution (web/online use, typical size 500k) | £10.50 |
| Medium resolution (standard reproduction, typical size 10mb) | £16.00 |
| High resolution (highest quality reproduction, typical size 50mb) | £21.00 |
Digital files can be emailed or file transferred.
- Prices include VAT.
- The prices above do not include any additional research and work carried out by the Local Studies and Archives staff. If specific assistance is needed, please discuss with a member of the staff. Research and additional time fees may be charged.
- All images supplied are for personal use only. If you intend to use the images in a publication or other products, a reproduction fee may be charged. Please ask a member of staff about this.
To order a digital image and/or request reproduction, please fill in the form below and email it to [email protected].
Should you wish to reproduce an image in a publication or other products, we offer competitive reproduction charges:
Research Service and fees
Research service
We offer a paid research service relating to the following sources:
- Census
- Kensington and Chelsea Electoral Register (Gaps 1915 to 1917 and 1940 to 1944)
- Local Newspapers
- Various Street and Trade Directories including part of Early London, Kensington Directories, Post Office London directories
- St Mary Abbots- Transcript of Parish Registers: Christenings, Marriage, Burials
- Rate books, Valuation books
- Rateable Values
You can find the full charges and fees clicking the file below
