London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) is home to an extraordinary range of documents, images, maps, films and books about London. This site offers an insight into the archives, with practical advice on how to research and use them, both at LMA and online.
We run a wide selection of talks, guided tours, film screenings, exhibitions and other events, and you can find out more about these as well as the latest updates from the archives on our news and events page.
LMA is free to use and open to everyone. Whether you’re tracing your family history or researching the history of your neighbourhood, if you’re interested in London or Londoners, LMA is the place to visit.
Search the archives
Use our online catalogue to search the collections plan which documents you want to see when you visit. Don’t forget that you need to register for a History Card to view original documents when you visit.
The collections
We are the largest local authority record office in the United Kingdom and we look after 105 km of books, maps, films and photographs in our strong-rooms - an enormous amount of information London and Londoners. This material dates from 1067 to the present day and covers every imaginable subject. Find out more on the collections page.
Family history
If you’re looking for ancestors from the London area, you’ve come to the right place. Our resources and services are listed on the family history page and our most popular sources are available to use online through the Ancestry.co.uk website.
Images and films
Our image collections include photographs, posters, prints, drawings and watercolours and make up one of the finest visual records of London in the world. You can find out more on the images and films page.
Learning
To support wider access for educational bodies such as schools, universities and other similar interest groups, we offer a range of online resources, workshops, conferences and events.
Get involved with collections held at LMA by either following us on Twitter, finding us on Flickr or watching us on YouTube.