Our Research room holds a variety of sources for local historians and people researching the history of Croydon. Whether researching your house history, family history, or the re-development, cultural and social changes that have taken place within the borough, our collections will be sure to deliver some interesting and thought-provoking facts.

Many of our Local History collections are available in the Research room for immediate access, these include:

• Street directories

• Ordnance Survey Maps

• Tithe Maps

• General street photographs

• Electoral registers

• Historic Local Newspapers on microfilm – we have 2 microfilm readers with printing facilities (although not essential, it is advised to pre-book a reader in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment)

• Books

• Books, Pamphlets and Ephemera boxes for WW1 & WW2

• WW2 Bomb damage reports with many accompanying bomb damage photographs

• WW2 Civil defence photographs

We have 5 computer stations where free access to Findmypast.co.uk is available for family history research. Find My Past includes censuses for many countries including England, Wales and Scotland from 1841 to 1911, as well as military, school, immigration/emigration, electoral, court and probate records.

*Our specialist collections which include Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Croydon’s Theatres, and an impressive collection of 19th and 20th century Sales Particulars, are available to access on request.

Further collections available on request which are currently located on the 3rd floor, include local historic ephemera and pamphlets relating to various subjects such as health, religion, politics, education, biographical files, Council minutes, planning and re-development.

Research room Copying and Printing Price list

• Computer printout:

  B&W = 15p per copy

  Colour = 50p per copy

• Photocopy

  A4 B&W = 15p per copy

                        A3 B&W = 25p per copy

                        A4 Colour = 50p per copy

                        A3 Colour = 75p per copy

• Microfilm printout & Digital microfilm copy - We apologise as this service is currently unavailable

• Postcards - Small 25p each or 5 for £1.00

  Large 50p each

*There is currently no charge for use of camera

Our service

Staff and volunteers are on hand to guide visitors to using the resources in the Research room and to help visitor’s access further collections by searching our local history finding aids which are not currently available online.

The Research room is also where visitors can access items from the Archive collection.

Visiting us

We encourage all visitors to familiarise themselves with our research room requirements to ensure all procedures are followed. This can be accessed here: Research Room Requirements.

Additionally, when visiting the archive please ensure you follow our guidelines on self-service photography. More information on our policy can accessed here: Self-service Photography.