Bromley Archives

Bromley Archives, housed together with the extensive Bromley Local Studies Library hold records that cover the ancient parishes of Beckenham, Bromley St Peter and St Paul, Kent, Chelsfield, Chislehurst, Cudham, Downe, Farnborough, Hayes, Keston, Orpington, St Mary Cray, St Paul’s Cray, and West Wickham. In addition, records relating to Mottingham, which was an extra-parochial hamlet of Eltham and Penge St John, which became a parish in 1850. Penge was formerly in Surrey, the rest in Kent.

Collections

 * Parish records of more than 20 Anglican churches, including registers from the 16th century
 * Civil records of Bromley Borough and its predecessors
 * Bromley Poor Law Union [Porter’s Admission and Discharge books, minutes and Valuations]
 * Businesses [Accounts, order and day books]
 * Landed estates [Deeds, Plans and Manorial Rolls]
 * Schools [Admission Registers, Log Books and Minutes]
 * Societies, Clubs and charities [Minutes, Scrap Books and Score Books]
 * Individuals [Certificates, Collections of postcards, historical material and research]
 * Parish Council Minutes
 * Tithe maps and apportionments
 * Non Anglican Church records [Methodist and Baptist]
 * Specialist collections on The Crystal Palace, Walter de la Mare and H.G. Wells

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Records Held Outside of Bromley
For historical reasons significant groups of records relating to this area are held in other record offices, notably the Centre for Kentish Studies (Quarter Sessions records, wills and bishop's transcripts from the diocese of Rochester, electoral registers), Surrey History Centre (Quarter Sessions and electoral registers), The National Archives and London Metropolitan Archives. There are also administrative overlaps with the neighbouring boroughs of Croydon, Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley.

Visiting the centre
Customers who wish to use Bromley Archives will need to be members of Bromley Libraries. Anyone can become a member of Bromley Libraries on production of a valid library card from any English, Welsh or Northern Irish public library, a County Archives Research Network (CARN) card or an acceptable proof of identity. It is recommended that you make an appointment before visits and to order documents in advance to avoid delays.

Address
Central Library High Street Bromley BR1 1EX