Heritage and History

Local Studies Centre

Redevelopment closure period|

Valence House closed on Saturday 22 December 2007 and will re-open in May 2010.

Interested in Barking and Dagenham's history, or are tracing your family tree?

Why not pay a visit to our new Local Studies Centre, situated in Valence House Museum?

We offer a wide selection of books, maps, photographs, microfiches, microfilms and CD-ROMs, plus internet access.

Information Sheets|

On a large range of local history and heritage topics.

Some of the highlights of our collection:

General Register Office index to births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales 1837-1996 (microfiche)
St Andrew's, Hornchurch, burial index 1576-2000 (CD-ROM)
Crow Lane cemetery burial index 1871-1953 (CD-ROM)
Barking Advertiser newspaper from 1888 (microfilm)
Barking and Dagenham Post newspaper from 1928 (microfilm)
St Margaret's, Barking, parish registers (microfilm)
St Peter and St Paul, Dagenham, parish registers (microfilm)
Census returns for Barking and Dagenham 1841-1901 (microfilm/fiche)
1881 British census (CD-ROM)
Local property deeds, indexed by place and personal name
Barking and Dagenham war damage reports
Trade directories
Electoral registers
Local school records
Photographs, maps and plans of local interest
Minutes of the Romford Union Board of Guardians 1836-1930 (microfilm)

It is advisable to telephone in advance to book microfilm/fiche readers. Due to space limitations, some items are kept off-site, so an appointment may be necessary to view them. You may also have a local history enquiry that we might be able to help you with.

If you are interested in researching your family tree you may like to read the following information on the starting your family history web page before making a visit.

Whilst doing your research, you may be interested in obtaining copies of our published or unpublished items, for more information on prices and advice on how to request copies of particular documents please visit the how to obtain a copy of a Document or Object web page.

The Local Studies staff look forward to welcoming you to the Centre.

Opening hours

Valence House is closed for refurbishment until May 2010.

Facilities

Café open 10am - 3pm

Level access

Easy parking

Toilets

Starting your family history|

Contact

Linda Rhodes

Local Studies Librarian

Local Studies Centre

Valence House Museum

Becontree Avenue

Dagenham

RM8 3HT

Tel: 020 8270 6896

Fax: 020 8270 6897

Email: localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk|