Family history

The following is a summary of some of the main sources at LSE Archives for family historians. You can also check the online Archives catalogue.

Charles Booth's notebooks, 1886-1903

If your ancestor lived in London in the late 19th century, the Booth collection may be a useful resource. Booth and his researchers interviewed many thousands of individuals to create the 'Survey into Life and Labour in London'. You can search the Charles Booth Online Archive in case your ancestor was interviewed.

Please note that most of the notebooks are not available online. If you find an ancestor mentioned in the Booth collection we can provide copies of the relevant pages from the notebooks: see Ordering copies from Booth notebooks. Alternatively, you are welcome to view the original notebooks in the Reading Room: see Services for users.

For more information see the guide for family historians on the Charles Booth Online Archive.

Charles Booth maps, 1898-1899

If you know which street or what part of London your ancestor lived in during the 1890s, Booth's maps of London may be of interest. As part of the 'Survey into Life and Labour in London' Booth created maps which colour-code streets according to Victorian social status, from 'upper-middle and upper classes - wealthy' to 'lowest class - vicious and semi-criminal'. The maps are available online via the Charles Booth Online Archive. Alternatively, you can purchase reproductions of them: see Maps Descriptive of London Poverty, 1898-9.

Emigrants letters

There is a small collection of letters - mainly copies - written by emigrants to the USA, Canada and Australia: for a handlist see EMIGRANTS LETTERS.

Fabian Society membership index

This is a card index of basic information about members, such as the date they joined the Fabian Society, addresses and membership payments to the Society.

Former LSE students and staff

The published 'Register, 1895-1932' (London, 1934) contains basic biographical information about LSE students and staff. Copies are available in the Reading Room and in the library.

• Most student records are still held by the Academic Registrar
• Most staff records are still held by Human Resources

Further information

• Guide to holdings
• Rare books
• Other archival resources
• Contact LSE Archives: Document@lse.ac.uk

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