This collection consists of legal and property papers relating mainly to London and Middlesex.

Records of Phillips Son and Neal, solicitors, 1706-1878, including surveys of estates in Wandsworth and Battersea; correspondence with clients; legal documents relating to properties including leases; and subpoenas to appear in the Court of Probate.

Collection of bills, advertisements and letters relating to various London businesses, particularly shipping and photographic services.

Records of the Westminster Quarter Sessions of the Peace, 1619-1860, including lists of prisoners awaiting trial; lists of prisoners already tried; lists and rolls of fines; court minutes; lists and registers of charges; sessions papers; sessions rolls; writs of venire facias and trial process records.

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 the Justices of the Peace for the Westminster Quarter Sessions of the Peace, 1687-1887. WJP/C contains the original Commissions of the Peace issued to the Justices of the Peace; WJP/L are lists of the justices in those commissions; WJP/D contains names of justices who had paid subscriptions for dinners held at the Sessions House; WJP/O contains a record of oaths taken by justices upon their appointment to the commission; and WJP/R is a record of the qualifications needed by justices in order to be eligible for appointment

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 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.

Register of children privately baptised at Paddington Green Children's Hospital; states at beginning of register 'Such baptisms being entered in the Registers of St Mary's Church, Paddington Green', later entries include baptisms by R.C Chaplain, 1887-1977.

Records of Pinewood Sanatorium, 1910-1966, including admission and discharge registers, case register, registers of operations, register of death and mortuary registers.

Records of Hackney Poor Law Union, 1770-1939, including minutes of meetings of the Board of Guardians and various Committees; Guardians handbooks; standing orders; correspondence with the Poor Law Board, Local Government Board and Ministry of Health; orders of the Local Government Board; papers relating to property including contracts and deeds; settlement examinations and orders for removal; orders for the reception of lunatics; registers of lunatics; registers for the Hackney Union Workhouse, the Brentwood Branch Workhouse and the Sidney Road Receiving Home; registers of children including apprentices, children adopted by the Union, children at schools and institutions, children at the Brentwood School and at Chipping Ongar Children's Home; financial accounts and staff records.

Records of the Hammersmith Poor Law Union, 1839-1932, including minutes of the Board of Guardians and various Committees; orders from and correspondence with Government departments; orders of removal to and from the Union; registers of lunatics; registers of the Du Cane Road Workhouse, Fulham Workhouse and Infirmary and Kensington Workhouse and Infirmary; apprenticeship indentures; registers of children boarded out, children at institutions and children in West London School District schools; financial accounts and staff records.

Records of the King Edward Memorial Hospital, Ealing, comprising deed of foundation of Ealing Cottage Hospital and Provident Dispensary, 1887 and deed poll (supplemental) to foundation deed, 1936.

Records of the Islington Poor Law Parish, 1864-1933, including minutes of meetings of the Board of Guardians and various Committees; Committee reports; Guardian's diaries; standing orders; orders from and correspondence with Government departments; settlement examinations; orders of removal to and from the Union; registers of lunatics; lunatic case papers; registers for the Shadwell Road Workhouse (later the Cornwallis Road Workhouse), Highgate Hill Workhouse and Infirmary, Saint John's Road Workhouse and Infirmary, and Liverpool Road Workhouse; registers of children, including servants and apprentices, children boarded out, children in the workhouse and at other institutions; children's case papers; registers of children at the Receiving Homes, Hornsey Rise and the Andover Children's Home, Hornsey Road; financial accounts and staff records.

Records of the London County Council Public Control Department relating to vehicle registration and driving licences, 1891-1971, including register of fees for daily use of locomotives on the roads under the Locomotive Act 1898; register of motor cars and motor cycles from LT 4001 to LT 4400, 1917-1919; samples of certificates of passing of test of competence to drive; posters for public display giving notice of Local Inquiries concerning the imposition of speed limits under the Motor-Car Act, 1903; sample driving licences, 1910-1966; form of declaration to be completed by applicants for establishment, motor and dog licences, 1910; Report of the Advisory Committee (Ministry of Transport) on the operation of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1921; samples of vehicle registration books and forms; brief historical account of driving licensing from 1903 to 1971; sample books of petrol coupons; map of LCC area showing streets where locomotives can be allowed by day, by night and without restriction and bridges with and without restrictions, under the Locomotive Act, 1898.

Records of the Archway Road Methodist Church, including register of baptisms, 1865-1897; Leaders' Meeting minute books; financial accounts; Trustees' Meeting minute books; Trustees' correspondence and notes; papers of the Missionary Society and papers of the Sunday School.

Records of the Muswell Hill Methodist Church including registers of baptisms, 1892-1927 and 1939-1951; financial accounts and Finance Committee papers; Leaders' Meeting minute books; annual reports; pamphlets and correspondence.

Register of marriages for Feltham United Reformed Church, 1972-1973.

Register of marriages, Kingsland Congregational Church and Institute, Hackney, 1936-1940.

Marriage registers for Forest Gate Congregational Church, Sebert Road, Forest Gate, 1950-1972.

Registers of marriage for West Croydon Congregational Church, 1920-1980.

Registers of marriages, South Croydon Congregational Church, South Croydon, 1961-1969.

Marriage registers for Emmanuel Congregational Church, East Dulwich, 1899-1984.

Marriage registers for New Court Congregational Church, Tollington Park, Islington, 1945-1975.

Marriage register for Islington Presbyterian Church, City Road, 1900-1920.

Marriage registers for Finsbury Park Congregational Church, Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, 1922-1939.

Marriage registers for Junction Road Congregational Church, Upper Holloway, 1907-1977.

Marriage registers for Wandsworth Presbyterian Church, Merton Road, 1901-1940.

Marriage registers for East Ham Presbyterian Church, East Avenue, Manor Park, East Ham, 1929-1969.

Marriage registers for Canning Town Congregational Church, 1922-1939.

Marriage registers for Plaistow Congregational Church, Balaam Street, 1925-1943.

Marriage registers for Forest Gate Congregational Church, Chester Road, 1913-1973, and its successor Plashet Park United Reformed Church, 1973-1990.

Marriage registers for Bromley-By-Bow Congregational Church, Bruce Road, 1935-1941.

Marriage registers for the Church of Christ, Hornsey, 1967-1969.

Marriage registers for Park Chapel, Crouch End, 1954-1977.

Marriage registers for Deptford Congregational Church, Deptford High Street, 1914-1967.

Marriage registers for Stockwell Congregational Church, Stockwell Green, 1956-1984.

Marriage registers for Trinity Presbyterian Church, Clapham Road, Lambeth, 1911-1956.

Marriage registers for Mitcham Congregational Church, London Road, 1972-1975.

Marriage registers for Alexandra Park Congregational Church, Alexandra Palace, 1929-1940.

Marriage registers for the Providence Congregational Church, Uxbridge, 1924-1961.

Marriage registers for Hither Green Presbyterian Church, Birkhall Road, Hither Green, 1908-1931.

Governor's Meeting minute books, 1885-1937; Education Committee minute books, 1896-1935; Finance Committee minute books, 1915-1936; Works Committee minute books, 1896-1930; minute book of the Association of Principals of London County Council Technical Institutes and Schools of Art, 1919-1926; correspondence, 1931-1932; financial records including ledgers, salary books, cash books and contributions books, 1894-1934; pupil reports and successes, 1897-1908; register for homework marks, 1936-1937; library book registers, 1927-1934; prospectuses, 1896-1940; student guide book, 1932-1933 and cuttings books, 1897-1943.

Register of marriages for Hampton Hill Spiritualist Church, Angel Close, Windmill Road, Hampton Hill, 1993-1995.

Records of Silvertown Presbyterian Church including Court of Session minute books, 1897-1940; Deacons' Court minute books, 1881-1940; Sunday school minute book, 1937-1940; Communicants' roll books, 1907-1940; register of baptisms, 1883-1938 and conveyance of six plots of land situated in Silvertown, in the parish of West Ham, in the county of Essex, 1882.

Records of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Manor Park, East Ham, including Court of Session minute books, 1900-1972; Deacons' Court minute books, 1943-1972; Finance Committee minute books, 1900-1920; Literary Society minute book, 1901-1927; Young People's Institute minute book, 1923-1928; Communicants' roll book, 1901-1967 and register of baptisms, 1901-1944.

Records of Goldington Crescent Presbyterian Church, later Somers Town Presbyterian Church, including Court of Session minute books, 1884-1953; Manager's Court minute books, 1884-1910; Annual reports, 1876-1915; Communicants' roll books, 1875-1953; register of baptisms, 1874-1951 and Treasurer's account book, 1875-1902. The Annual Report for 1881 includes a history of the church, 1843-1881.

Records of the Vine Congregational Church comprising annual reports, 1898-1930 and registers of baptisms, 1906-1940.

Records of Ipswich Presbyterian Church comprising Sunday service sheets; correspondence; marriages, 1912-1925; and deaths and funerals, 1912-1924.

Register of baptisms, 1822-1836.

Register of baptisms for Upper Street Presbyterian Church, 1847-1852.

Communicants' roll book for Trinity Presbyterian Church, Canonbury, 1861-1871.