Contact Us
We are pleased to answer routine enquiries and aim to send a response within 10 working days. In order to enable us to deal with your enquiry more efficiently please use one of the options below or to the left.
If your enquiry requires detailed research, we may advise you to visit the Library, or suggest that you employ a researcher. The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives [1], the Federation of Family History Societies [2], or the National Archives [3] may be able to assist in providing contact details for record agents and other freelance researchers. The Library is unable to recommend individuals.
Following the recent government guidance regarding the outbreak of coronavirus the National Church Institutions have closed both Lambeth Palace Library and the Church of England Record Centre.
All staff are currently working from home.
At the moment the only images we are able to provide are the existing ones, therefore we are unable to accept orders for new photography. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Anglican Clergy Enquiries
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Clergy_Guide.pdf [4] | 73.64 KB |
The Library has produced a guide to resources for information on Anglican clergy (below, right), held at the Library and elsewhere.
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[6]Please use the subject line: Clergy Enquiry
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1400
Post: Clergy Enquiry, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Marriage Records Enquiries
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Marriage_Records.pdf [7] | 120 KB |
The Library has produced a guide to resources for information on marriage records (below, right), held at the Library and elsewhere.
The Library's marriage records relate virtually exclusively to marriages conducted by licence issued under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[8]Please use the subject line: Marriage Enquiry
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1400
Post: Marriage Enquiry, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Wills Enquiries
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Family_History.pdf [9] | 62.19 KB |
The Library holds a small selection of wills, primarily those proved in the Archbishop's peculiar court. The Library's guide to family history resources (below, right) provides more information.
The Library's catalogue of archives and manuscripts, available through ‘Search Collections' left, includes the names of individuals for which the Library holds wills.
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[10]Please use the subject line: Wills Enquiry
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1400
Post: Wills Enquiry, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Archbishops' Papers Enquiries
Descriptions of the Archbishops' official papers are available on the Library's online catalogue of archives and manuscripts (available through ‘search collections', left). They do not survive in great quantity prior to the mid 19th century, and a thirty year closure rule applies.
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org [11]
Please use the subject line: Archbishops' Papers Enquiry
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1400
Post: Archbishops' Papers Enquiry, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Printed Books Enquiries
The catalogue of the Library's printed books is available online (available through ‘search collections', left).
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org [12]
Please use the subject line: Printed Books Enquiry
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1400
Post: Printed Books Enquiry, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Church History Enquiries
The main Church of England website [13] provides information on its history, structure, dioceses and buildings.
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[14]Please use the subject line: Church History Enquiry
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1400
Post: Church History Enquiry, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Local School and Church Enquiries
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Church_Property.pdf [15] | 126.87 KB |
| Education.pdf [16] | 124.83 KB |
The Library and Record Centre have produced guides to the education and property records they hold (below, right). Please note that the archives of individual parishes and schools are usually deposited at the local record office.
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[17]Please use the subject line: Local School/Church Enquiry
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1030
Post: Local School/Church Enquiry, Church of England Record Centre, 15 Galleywall Road, South Bermondsey, London, SE16 3PB.
Advance Orders (Lambeth)
Please give the date when you expect to visit (preferably giving 48 hours notice) and the references of the material which you wish to consult. Please note that some material cannot be ordered in advance, but is fetched on arrival. For further information click on ‘advance orders', right.
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[19]Please use the subject line: Advance Order (Lambeth)
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1400
Post: Advance Order (Lambeth), Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Advance Orders (CERC)
Anyone wishing to consult material at the Record Centre should book a table in the Reading Room. The Reading Room is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10am till 4pm, except public holidays.
Please give the date when you expect to visit (giving two working days' notice) and the references of the material which you wish to consult. For further information click on ‘Using the Church of England Record Centre', right.
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[21]Please use the subject line: Advance Order (CERC)
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1030
Post: Advance Order (CERC), Church of England Record Centre, 15 Galleywall Road, South Bermondsey, London, SE16 3PB.
Copying Services (Lambeth)
Information on the services the Library can provide, including forms and charges, is available under ‘services', left.
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[22]Please use the subject line: Copying Services (Lambeth)
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1400
Post: Copying Services (Lambeth), Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Accounts Queries
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[23]Please use the subject line: Accounts Queries
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1263
Post: Accounts Queries, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Filming Requests
Requests to film in the Library for broadcasting purposes may be considered. Such filming must relate to material in the Library's collections.
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[25]Please use the subject line: Filming Request
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1267
Post: Filming Request, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Group Visit Enquiries
Details of how to book guided tours of Lambeth Palace are available on the Archbishop of Canterbury's website [26].
Visits to the Library are sometimes available to organised groups:
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[27]Please use the subject line: Group Visit Enquiry
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1400
Post: Group Visit Enquiry, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Conservation Enquiries
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org
[29]Please use the subject line: Conservation
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1288
Post: Conservation Department, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
Contact Lambeth Palace/Church House
Contact details [31] for Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury and his staff.
Contact details [32] for Church House, and the National Church Institutions.
Any Other Enquiry
E-mail: archives@churchofengland.org [33]
Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 1400
Post: Enquiries, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK.
