Battersea Library

Collections

The library contains the following collections (subjects are in brackets)

William Blake Collection
This covers the life and works of the poet, philosopher and artist, William Blake (1757 - 1827).,
(Art, Artists, English literature (general), Philosophers, Philosophy, Poetry, Poets, Romanticism)

General collection
Collections of lending and reference books are held. Stock includes materials for adults, children and young people in print and other media including accessible formats (large print and spoken word CDs and audio cassettes). A number of special collections are held here.,
(Architecture, Caribbean literature, Spiritualism, Witchcraft)

Wandsworth Family and Local History Resources
A collection of family and local history resources as follows: 1. Births, Deaths and Marriages Registrar General's Indexes from 1837 (microform), or Registrar General for Scotland's Computerised Index from 1855. Locations Not held -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Census returns 1841; Parishes of Battersea, Putney, Streatham, Tooting Graveney and Wandsworth 1851: Parishes of Battersea, Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting Graveney and Wandsworth; Name indexes for Battersea, Tooting and Wandsworth 1861: Parishes of Battersea, Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting Graveney and Wandsworth 1871: Parishes of Battersea, Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting Graveney and Wandsworth 1881: Parishes of Battersea, Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting Graveney and Wandsworth 1781: Parishes of Battersea, Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting Graveney and Wandsworth held at Wandsworth Local History Department, Battersea -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Directories 3(a) County and Regional Directories Kelly's London Post Office Directories. Southern suburbs. 1884-1990 (selective years only) 3(b) City and Town Directories Kelly's Local Directories (N.B. no complete runs) Battersea 1888-1903 Balham and Tooting 1894-1928 Clapham 1896-1938 Putney 1885-1939 Wandsworth 1885-1936 3(c) Telephone Directories None held -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Electoral registers and polls books 4(a) Electoral Registers Battersea, Metropolitan Borough: 1885-1963 Wandsworth Metropolitan Borough: 1898-1900; 1906-1964 (not published 1915-1917 and 1940-1944) Wandsworth, London Borough of: 1964 to date 4(b) Poll Books None held -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. International Genealogical Index (IGI) English counties only. 1992 edition. WLHD, Battersea. Microfiche -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. Unpublished Indexes Alphabetical, subject-name index to local newspapers and scrapbooks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Parish Registers Most originals held by London Metropolitan Archives. Transcripts held at WLHD, Battersea Battersea Parish, from 1559 to 1876 for baptisms and burials, to 1878 for marriages. (Microfilm) Putney Parish from 1620 to 1799 for burials, 1812 for baptisms and 1870 for marriages. 3 vols. Name index Tooting Graveney from 1555 to 1836 for baptisms, 1837 marriages and 1841 for burials. 1 vol. Typescript. Name index. Wandsworth Parish 1603-1787. 1 vol. Name index -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. Periodicals (excl. newspapers) Wandsworth Historian nos. 1-67 (1971 to date) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. Published Transcripts of Archival Material None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Other material Vestry Minutes, Rate Books and Poor Law Records from the mid 18th century to 20th century. Mainly for the parishes of Battersea, Putney, Streatham and Tooting. Many Wandsworth parish records destroyed during World War II. No Clapham parish records held, mainly destroyed during World War II. WLHD. Some records at GLRO and Surrey History Service -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Guides to Collections Not available at present -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Local Record Offices London Metropolitan Archives 40 Northampton Road London EC1R 0AB Tel: 0171 332 3820 Fax: 0171 833 9136 Surrey History Service Surrey History Centre 130 Goldsworth Road Woking Surrey GU21 6ND Tel: 01483 594594 Fax: 01483 594595 Email: shs@surreycc.gov.uk http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/surreyhistoryservice -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other information: Chapman County Codes (BS 6879): LND, SRY ,
(Electoral registers, Genealogy, Local history, Parish records, Poll books, Population censuses, Registration of birth, Registration of death, Registration of marriage)

Local Studies Collection
A wide range of material is available, from books, local newspapers and maps to original archives and photographs, including items of use to those studying family history: Archives of Wandsworth Borough Council and predecessor authorities Archives of local organisations, businesses, societies, families and individuals Maps and plans (some on microfilm) Photographs, slides and other illustrations Local newspapers (many on microfilm) Books, pamphlets and printed ephemera Special cuttings collections Local directories Microform resources including census returns 1841-1901 and the International Genealogical Index for England (1992 edition) Ancestry Library Edition online resources including census returns for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man; civil registration indexes for England and Wales, historic BT telephone directories and more. This online resource can be accessed free at the Local History Service and other Wandsworth Libraries.,
(Genealogy, Local history)

General collection
A large sized general collection of leisure reading, classic and contemporary novels, non-fiction books covering leisure and general learning subjects for adults and children,
(European history)

Edward Thomas Collection
This covers the life and works of the nature poet Edward Thomas (1878 - 1917).,
(English literature (general), Poetry, Poets)