You can use the British Library's collections to help you research your family history and genealogy. We provide primary materials such as public records and private papers. We also offer a wide range of reference books to help you find sources online and in archives.

Collection guides

Help

Reading Room Paul Grundy

St Pancras Reading Rooms

At St Pancras we have 11 Reading Rooms, each specialising in a different subject area or type of material and with different opening hours. In our Reading Rooms you can:

  • Consult books, journals and other items from our collections
  • Access a wide range of electronic resources and electronic journals
  • Consult subject guides, bibliographies and other research aids

If you need help, please ask our Reference Specialists at the enquiry desks or contact the Reference Service.

We offer a range of free Reader sessions and 1-2-1 consultations to help you make the best use of the Library's collections.

You’ll need a Reader Pass

Opening hours for all Reading Rooms

External links

The British Library is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

The National Archives

The official archive of the UK government

Society of Genealogists

The national family history centre

Find My Past

Birth certificates, census records, obituaries and more

General Register Office

Where to obtain official records of births, marriages and death etc. in England and Wales