Peckham Family History
Though we love to hear about historic Peckham and Nunhead, we regret that we simply don’t have the resources to help with your individual queries. However, there are a number of alternatives which will help you to continue your quest.
Southwark Local History Library
Southwark Local History Library is an excellent source of historical information about Peckham. The library resources can help you find out the history of the area, your family or house, or provide help with school or college projects. It also holds information on changes in Southwark today. They are happy to help anybody with an interest in the Southwark area, and you don’t need to be a member of a Southwark, or any other, library. The collections have extensive finding aids and staff will always give advice on getting the most out of the library. You don’t need to make an appointment to visit, except for group or class visits. However, they advise you to book a microfilm reader if you will need to use one.
Examples of information held by the Library:
- Microfilmed local newspapers and files of press cuttings and pamphlets.
- Local directories with details of businesses and some individuals.
- Local electoral registers and local rate books.
- New Poor Law and local workhouse records.
- Deeds to local properties.
- Photograph and audiovisual collections.
Address: Southwark Local History Library, 211 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JA,
Phone: 020 7525 0232
Email: local.history.library@southwark.gov.uk
Web: Southwark Local History Library
Online Research
Many Peckham records, in addition to Census and civil registration, are now widely available on the internet.
In addition to London church parish records ancestry.co.uk has:
- London School Board, Admissions and Discharges (1840-1911)
- London electoral records (1832-1965)
- London and Surrey, England, Marriage Bonds and Allegations (1597-1921)
If you come across any other useful Peckham sources please let the Peckham Society know and we will add the details here.
Local maps
These are a very useful and often under-rated resource for a reasonable price. The Godfrey series of Ordnance Survey reprints shows Peckham in great detail; the street names enable you to relate your ancestor’s address to local features, churches, pubs, schools and other public buildings. Godfrey Edition reprints are available from www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk and some bookshops.
Two maps cover most of Peckham at three different dates:
- Peckham (S and SW) (1872, 1894, 1914),
- East Dulwich (1868, 1894, 1914)
The remaining parts round the perimeter of Peckham feature on the following maps:
- East: New Cross & Deptford Broadway (1871, 1894, 1914)
- North: Old Kent Road (1871; 1894; 1914) and Deptford North (1914)
- West: Camberwell and Stockwell (1871, 1913),
- South-west: Brockley & Honor Oak (1868, 1894, 1914).
Local family history societies
There are a number of local societies with interests in the Peckham area; the family history society for the London Borough of Southwark is the East Surrey Family History Society. (Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you contact any of these societies by post.)
East Surrey Family History Society
www.eastsurreyfhs.org.uk
Nearby societies:
West Surrey Family History Society
www.wsfhs.org
North West Kent Family History
www.nwkfhs.org.uk
Peckham Society News
Finally, our own magazine may contain information which could help you in your search. It has now been indexed and back issues are available for purchase (see the Magazine page for further details).
Index of letters up to issue 145 (Summer 2016):
