Photographs, c1893-1960s, of Central Africa by Harold Edgar Wareham and his wife Rebecca Purves Wareham (née Stewart). Subject matter includes missionaries and mission stations in Northern Rhodesia, locals, church activities and scenery.

Papers, 1835-c1975, of and relating to the Rev Thomas Pyne, comprising correspondence and accounts, 1839-1845 and undated, documenting Pyne's guardianship of (John) Ossoo Ansah and (William) Quanti Massah in England (1840), associated expenses, and aspects of their trip including invitations to dinner, entrance permits to London Zoo and to George Heriot's Hospital [School], Edinburgh, undated plan of a breakwater, Falmouth(?), undated print of Brighton Pavilion and other ephemera relating to places visited, photographs of paintings of the princes, and various visiting cards; other correspondence and papers of Pyne, 1835-1873 and undated, including printed Thanksgiving sermon preached at St Peter's Church, New York, including anti-slavery sentiments, 1835, pamphlets by Pyne on peace, 1844 and undated, and astronomy, 1852, a letter from L'Institut d'Afrique to Pyne concerning honorary membership, 1843, miscellaneous pamphlets relating to African affairs, and a photograph of Pyne, 1870; correspondence, notes, transcripts from original documents, and other papers, 1950-1953, c1975 and undated, concerning Pyne and his papers, and the two princes, including their portraits.

Correspondence and papers, 1888-1970, of and relating to Samuel Pollard, used by R Elliott Kendall for his work on Pollard, and comprising 12 letters from Pollard, 1888-1915, during his time in China, 11 of them to H W Horwill; four letters concerning Pollard, 1915-1916, 1970; three articles by Pollard on China, c1911-c1913; notes by H W Horwill on Pollard, undated; 50 press cuttings, 1908-1915, including some by Pollard in religious publications; 21 press cuttings, 1915-1921, mainly obituaries and reviews of Pollard's publications.

Typescripts and printed materials, 1915-1995, relating to missionary work in Southern Africa. Includes 1870-1970 Hope Fountain Centenary Programme.

Typescript transcript of letters and extracts of letters, and some photocopies of original letters, 1818-1821, from Thomas and Abigail Beighton to family and friends, recording problems encountered on the journey from England to Madras; local customs; and missionary work in Malacca and Penang, particularly their work in education; also including much discussion of family matters and of relationships among the missionary communities.

Papers, 1935-1995, of Charles Granston Richards, comprising articles, reports, books, pamphlets and correspondence reflecting his work and interests. The papers cover his work with the Church Missionary Society in Kenya, East African Literary Bureau, Oxford University Press, Christian Literature Fund and Agency for Christian Literature Development in addition to his retirement years.

Letters, diaries, drafts of published works, papers and photographs, 1917-1980, of William Gawan Sewell, relating largely to his time in China. Material on the West China Union University includes histories, brochures, detailed descriptions, plans and photographs.

Papers, 1827-1995, of James Hardyman, comprising writings in the form of published articles, press cuttings, typescripts, manuscripts and notes and correspondence relating to his interests in Malagasy history and culture and to his missionary work with the London Missionary Society. Also including photographs, postcards, illustrations, prints, engravings and sketches relating to Madagascar, and a collection of maps.

Records, c1725, 1799-1986, of the United Society for Christian Literature (USCL) and its predecessors, including the Religious Tract Society, comprise:

Executive Committee minutes for the RTS, 1799-1935 (some gaps) (Ref: USCL 1-113), continued under the USCL, 1935-1953 (Ref: USCL 113-122), and other minutes, including copyright, finance, and local associations, for the RTS, 1806-1935, and USCL, 1935-1972 (Ref: USCL 123-149, USCL Add 6, 15, 19-22);

copies of outgoing RTS letters, 1824-1889 (Ref: USCL 150-195); miscellaneous correspondence of the RTS, 1824-1847 (Ref: USCL Add 23-26);

annual reports for the RTS, 1820-1935 (many gaps) (Ref: USCL 311-336, USCL Add 34), USCL, 1935-1962 (Ref: USCL 337-357, USCL/S 69-72, 99-103, USCL Add 38), and RTS (China), continued under the USCL, 1884-1947 (Ref: USCL 366-376);

ledgers and accounts, 1836-1952 (Ref: USCL 196-231);

papers of the RTS, succeeded by the USCL, relating to copyright, 1825-1835 (Ref: USCL Add 1-2); reports of sub-committees on anti-popery, 1839, and new warehouses, 1844 (Ref: USCL Add 3-4); salaries books, 1851-1938 (Ref: USCL Add 5); letters, report and pamphlet relating to the Assam mission, India, 1857-1859 (Ref: USCL Add 7); legacies book, 1911-1986 (Ref: USCL Add 11); USCL register of members, 1946-1963, also including declarations of employee names, 1948-1972 (Ref: USCL Add 16); USCL papers concerning premises in Lusaka, Rhodesia, 1949-1955 (Ref: USCL Add 17); reports on USCL officials' visits to India and Ceylon, Northern Rhodesia, and Zambia, 1950-1969 (Ref: USCL Add 18); papers documenting USCL history, 1927-1976 and undated, including notes, chronology, printed material, and photographs, including the fire damage of 1941 (Ref: USCL Add 64-71);

RTS and USCL printed tracts, c1920-c1950 (Ref: USCL 400-401); annotated listings of RTS publications, 1842-1859 (Ref: USCL Add 39); RTS publications, 1822-1934 and undated (Ref: USCL Add 41-57); USCL publications, 1935-1962 and undated (Ref: USCL Add 57-62); miscellaneous publications, c1725, 1816-1960, including some on the work of the RTS but also including other publications, some by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (Ref: USCL 377-399, USCL Add 40, 63).

There are also records, 1858-1950, of the Christian Literature Society (CLS) for India (and Africa) and its predecessor; and records, 1885-1977, of the UCSL (Scotland) and its predecessors.

Records, 1885-1977, of the UCSL (Scotland) and predecessors, comprising:

minutes of the Christian Literature Society (CLS) for China Scottish Central Committee, 1891-1942 (Ref: USCL/S 1-3), including annual meetings of the Society, 1893-1901 (Ref: USCL/S 1), Edinburgh Committee, 1893-1921, 1940-1942 (Ref: USCL/S 2, 7), and Glasgow Committee, 1893-1942 (Ref: USCL/S 5); USCL Scottish Central Committee, 1942-1977 (Ref: USCL/S 4), and Glasgow Committee, 1943-1972 (Ref: USCL/S 6); CLS for India and Africa Edinburgh Auxiliary Committee, 1926-1935, continued by the USCL Edinburgh Auxiliary, 1935-1976 (Ref: USCL/S 8), and USCL Glasgow and South of Scotland Auxiliary Committee, 1935-1942 (Ref: USCL/S 9);

other papers, 1885-1942, relating to the history of the CLS for China (Scotland) and USCL (Scotland) and their union (Ref: USCL/S 10-13);

annual reports for the Book and Tract Society of China, 1885-1890 (Ref: USCL/S 14-19), Society for the Diffusion of Christian and General Knowledge Among the Chinese, 1893-1895 (Ref: USCL/S 20-22), Christian Literature Society for China, 1893-1905, 1912-1942 (Ref: USCL/S 23-68, USCL Add 37), and USCL (Scotland), 1943-1971 (Ref: USCL/S 73-98);

miscellaneous publications, c1893-1966 (Ref: USCL/S 104-130).

This collection consists of the papers and correspondence of James Hayward of Bridgewater, a wholesale confectioner, and one of the most energetic of Joanna's followers in the West Country, with a wide circle of correspondents throughout the country, 1789-1888. He also collected, during the middle and later nineteenth century, the papers of many other of Joanna's followers, most notably Edmund Baker, who was minister of a chapel held by the sect in Teddington, Middlesex from about 1809 to 1811, and later minister in Dowlish, Somerset. The collection includes a roll of members, and register book for the Teddington chapel and lists of members and signed testimonies from Dowlish and Ilminster. It also includes a large number of printed books by and concerning Joanna, many of them from the libraries of James Hayward and Edmund Baker.

Records of the Edmonton Methodist Church, 1841-1966, including register of baptisms, papers relating to Edmonton Central Hall building work (including blueprints and printing blocks), register of membership, Junior Society class book, minutes, financial records, obituaries, pulpit notice books, circuit preaching plans and directories and tenancy agreements.

Registers of marriages, 1914-1971.

Registers of marraiges, 1905-1931.

Registers of marriage, 1943-1973.

Registers of marriages, 1948-1965.

Registers of marriages, 1929-1939.

Registers of marriages, 1918-1951.

Registers of marriages, 1942-1969.

Registers of marriages, 1926-1961.

Registers of marriages, 1927-1960.

Records of Bow Common Wesleyan Methodist Church, Devons Road, comprising minute book of meetings of Trustees, 1904-1936; minute book of meetings of Trustees of Bow Common School, Tidey Street, 1935-1971 and Government Air-Craft Insurance for Devons Road Wesleyan Chapel, Bow Common, 1915.

Papers relating to Old Mahogany Bar Methodist Church, Graces Alley, Wellclose Square, comprising publicity material including annual reports and anniversary programmes, 1929-1956, including pamphlet entitled "Sixty Eight Glorious Years for Christ. The Story of the Old Mahogany Bar (East End Mission)" by the Reverend Lesley E Day, 1956.

Wesleyan School Chapel Tredegar Road Trust Treasurer's account book, 1866-1874.

Baptism registers for Bruce Road Central Hall, 1833-1940.

Memorandum of appointment of new trustees for the Methodist Chapel and School, Maria Street, 1917.

Records of Hayes Methodist Church including Trustees' Meetings Minutes, 1922-1946; Trustees' Accounts, 1909-1920, 1940-1966; Leaders' Meetings Minutes, 1924-1969; Collection Journals, 1920-1977; Women's Bright Hour, 1933-1972; Methodist Guild, 1941-1945; Senior Club, 1950-1974; Queen's Hall Thrift Club, 1959-1980; Missionary Committee, 1934-1965; Pulpit Notices, 1947-1972; Church Registers, 1949-1963; Annual Reports, 1946, 1972; Sunday School, 1924-1976; Orders of Service, 1935-1973; Year Books, 1950-1959; Church Magazines, 1957-1984.

Also records relating to Hayes and Harlington Club for the Blind, 1943-1955 and Barnhill Hill Methodist Church, 1960.

Records of the Whitechapel Methodist Mission, 1876-1978, comprising records of the Whitechapel Station (Circuit), 1897-1975, including quarterly meetings and accounts (Section A); records of the central administration of the social work of the Mission, 1893-1978, including records of the Trustees, Executive Committee, financial records and staff records (Section B); records of the Working Lad's Institute, 1897-1975, including records from before its take over by the Reverend Jackson in 1897, and of its later developments, Whitechapel House Tulse Hill and Whitechapel House Maple Place, including photographs (Section C); records of Brunswick Hall and the Night Shelter, 1900-1970, including some accounts of life as a homeless person in 1926 (Section D); records of the holiday homes, Southend, 1901-1954 (Section E); records of Windyridge Hostel, 1925-1977 (Section F) and records of other stations brought by Revd Jackson to Whitechapel, 1876-1974 (Section G).

Pembroke Road Methodist Church, Friern Barnet, registers of marriage, 1954-1972.

Records of the Wandsworth and Fulham Circuit including papers of Quarterly meetings, 1958-1969; Circuit Steward's account books and day books, 1949-1969; minute book of the Invitation Committee, later the General Purposes Committee, 1959-1969; financial accounts, 1963-1969; papers concerning closure of the Circuit, 1967-1969; papers concerning administration of the Manse and Roehampton Christian Community Centre, 1963-1969; correspondence, 1962-1969; Circuit preaching plans, 1949-1969; Trustees' meetings minute book, 1928-1968 and Sunday School minute book, 1956-1965.

Also year books of the Wandsworth Bridge Road Church, Fulham, Wandsworth Circuit, 1908-1913.

Register of Marriages, 7 Aug 1961-12 May 1979.

Register of Marriages, 1958-1971.

Records of the Upper Holloway Baptist Church, 1867-1982, including Committee of Management minutes and papers; Deacons Meeting minutes and papers; Church Meeting minutes and papers; registers of church members; registers of marriages; financial accounts; papers relating to the Sunday School; papers relating to the Sisterhood Society; papers relating to the Baptist Women's League; papers relating to the Youth Club; papers relating to the Choir; Year Books and papers relating to the Rupert Road Mission Hall.

Illuminated address of thanks to Mr Waldock for his 42 years of service as prayer and class leader, outdoor evangelist, trustee and pew steward and society steward, from the officials, members and friends of the Primitive Methodist Church, Caledonian Road, Islington, 1926.

Marriage register of the Salvation Army Citadel, Adelaide Road, Southall, 1982-1985.

Marriage registers for the following Baptist churches: Broadway Baptist Church, High Street, Hounslow, 1929-1971; Baptist Free Church, Newton Avenue, Acton (known as the South Acton Baptist Church from 1960), 1946-1976; Grange Park Baptist Church, Lansbury Drive, Hayes, 1966-1987; Baptist Chapel, Bridge Street, Staines, 1978 and Baptist Chapel, North Road, Old Brentford, 1981.

Papers regarding the Angel Alley Methodist Chapel, Stepney, 1877, comprising correspondence regarding the actions of the trustees of the chapel over the site of the former building.

Records of the Southall Methodist Mission and associated churches, 1967-1968, including General Committee minutes for the Southall and Uxbridge Mission; Quarterly Meeting minutes and a circuit schedule book for the Southall and Uxbridge Circuit and Quarterly Meeting minutes, circuit schedule book and Local Preachers' Meeting minutes for the Southall Mission.

Records of the King's Hall Methodist Church, Southall, including baptism registers, 1919-1952; Trustees Meeting minutes; Leader's Meeting minutes; membership rolls; collection journals and other financial papers; press cuttings; brochures and booklets; issues of the Church Magazine; photographs; papers relating to the Sunday School; papers relating to the Sisterhood and papers relating to the Women's Work Society.

Records of the Western Road Methodist Church, Southall, including baptism registers, 1937-1967; Trustee's Meeting mintues; financial accounts; membership rolls and photographs.

Deeds and copy documents relating to premises in Woodstock Road (later Woodstock Terrace) belonging to Poplar Methodist Chapel, 1874-1956.

Records of Harrow Methodist Circuit, 1921-1995, including administrative papers; financial accounts; papers, correspondence, circulars and publications relating to Circuit Property Committee; circulars and leaflets; Circuit archivist's papers; Quarterly Meeting statements and agendas; correspondence; issues of Bulletin, newsletter of The Women's Fellowship of the Methodist Church; Circuit preaching plans and directories; issues of Harrow Circuit Outlook, newsletter of the Circuit; photographs of Ruislip Methodist Church, North Harrow Methodist Church, South Harrow Methodist Church, Pinner Methodist Church, Cannon Lane Methodist Church, Pinner, Eastcote Methodist Church and Circuit manses; agreements and correspondence regarding Performing Rights Society and correspondence regarding Manse Trust.

Records of Eastcote Church, comprising Centenary Souvenir handbook, 1948 and booklet concerning church finance, 1960s.

Records of Wealdstone Methodist Church, comprising pamphlet commemorating sixty years of Wealdstone Methodist Church building, 1964 and booklet commemorating centenary of Wealdstone Methodist Church society, 1983.

Marriage registers for Kingdom Hall, Balvernie Grove, Wandsworth, 1957-1991.

Register of marriages for Saint John the Divine Spiritual Baptist Church, Deptford, 1991. (Please note this register contains only one entry).

Annual reports of the West London Methodist Mission: "The Work of a Year in Pictures", 1929-1930 and "West London: Its Glory and Tragedy", 1930-1931. Both reports are well illustrated with photographs showing the work of the Mission.

Also typescript document entitled "Church Story: A history of Holly Park Methodist Church, Crouch Hill (Highgate Circuit)" outlining the history of the Church from 1875 to 1927.

Records enrolled or filed with the Clerk of the Westminster Quarter Sessions of the Peace, 1552-1885. The records classified as WR/A are concerned with the registration of foreigners; WR/B are records produced by Building Surveyors; WR/F are returns of those eligible to serve on juries; WR/L/P covers the licensing of printing presses; WR/LV relate to Licensed Victuallers; WR/ML are concerned with Militia and Lieutenancy; WR/O are Oaths of Office; WR/P are papers concerning Parliamentary Elections; WR/PLT Land Tax; WR/R contains the records produced from the control and recording of all non-conformists; WR/S contains records concerned with Societies; and WR/U records deposited with the court concerning Public Undertakings.

Note on the Quarter Sessions records: Although Westminster has fewer surviving records than Middlesex, the City's sessions would have produced similar records to those of the County, but they would have been smaller in quantity, and have included less administrative material. Also, as with all Quarter Sessions records, "seeing that the Custos Rotulorum was a private gentleman or nobleman and the Clerk of the Peace an attorney with a private practice it is likely that many county records were (if not lost or destroyed) handed down to their families or their professional successors" and many may still remain to be found in private hands (Emmison and Gray, County Records, 1987). Those records that have survived are often difficult to read or understand because of the handwriting, use of Latin (until 1733), or legal jargon and abbreviations; although standardised legal formats were used and printed pro formas introduced by the nineteenth century.

For the Middlesex and Westminster records there may also be confusion over the records' arrangement resulting from the attempts at classification by previous generations of archivists which have left many records split up into unnatural groupings. Originally they would not have been sorted into any cohesive arrangement. These were records that were "kept for administrative convenience rather than as sources for future generations" (G. Jones, Quarter Sessions records in the Leicestershire Record Office).

Because of this overlapping between many classes of record, any study of the Westminster records should include consultation of those for Middlesex. There was in any case a lot of co-operation between the two courts during the period covered by the records. Judicial (Gaol Delivery Sessions for example) and administrative functions were shared, as were court personnel (including justices). Westminster prisoners could elect to be tried at the Middlesex sessions, as these were held more frequently than their own.

The sessions records are a very useful source for family history, studying trends in law and order, and the life of the City and its inhabitants over a relatively long period of time. The capital was an area with high levels of crime, the natural place for riot and conspiracy, and attracted a wide variety of people from the whole country and abroad. The main record of proceedings at the sessions will be found in the sessions rolls (MJ/SR and the uncatalogued WJ/SR - index in WJ/CB); the (partially uncatalogued) sessions books (WJ/SB, MJ/SB); and the (partially uncatalogued) sessions papers (WJ/SP, MJ/SP). City administrative work is in the records of the County Day sessions (WJ/O), and for one particular type, in the records of the street surveyors (WJ/SS). Records of judicial procedure are in the records of court fines (WJ/E), writs to summon juries (WJ/W), and the trial process (WJ/Y); Lists of prisoners made at various times during the trial process are in WJ/CC and WJ/CP.

Records of Broadway Congregational Church including minutes and other records of the Sick Benefit Society, later known as the Broadway Congregational Church Friendly Society.

Records of the Society of Friends Devonshire House meetings, comprising minutes and financial records only.

Records of Jewin Street Wesleyan Chapel, comprising annual chapel trust schedules.

Records of Sion College, a society of Anglican clergy. The majority of the collection dates from 1631, with deeds from 1611. The records include notes on the history of the College; constitution, rules and bye-laws; Court of Governor's minutes and other Committee minutes; annual reports; financial accounts; lists of Fellows and subscription books; letter books and correspondence; papers of the Secretary; legal papers; menus and invitations to events; newsletters and promotional material; press cuttings; papers relating to properties and estates owned by the College; papers relating to the library including committee minutes, inventories, lists of borrowed books and registers of rebinding; photographs of past Presidents and Fellows; and photographs of the Library and College.