Frequently asked questions

1. My ancestor worked for The Natural History Museum. What information do you have?
2. I am interested in the history of The Natural History Museum. Where can I find out more?
3. I am looking for general information on The Natural History Museum buildings and architecture. What do you have?
4. How can I access the documents if I am unable to make a visit to the Archives?
5. I want to use a photograph credited to The Natural History Museum in my forthcoming book. How can I acquire a copy?
6. I want to quote from material held by The Natural History Museum Archives in my forthcoming book. How do I do this?
7. I am interested in historical photographs of the Museum and its collections. Can you help?
8. Can the Archives be searched online?
9. What other finding aids can I use?
10. How do I trace an object that was donated to The Natural History Museum?
11. Where is the archive of the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum, Tring, housed?
     

1) My ancestor worked for The Natural History Museum. What information do you have?

The Official Archives comprises correspondence and research papers generated by the Museum. Depending upon where your ancestor worked within the Museum, the Archives may include a staff file, research papers and perhaps even their photograph. It may be difficult to trace someone who was an Associate who worked in, but not for the Museum, and staff who were employed on a contract basis. However, it is still worth contacting the Archivist who may find a reference to them in staff lists.

2) I am interested in the history of The Natural History Museum. Where can I find out more?

A brief history of the Museum is available on this website that highlights key events in the Museum’s history. A general bibliography has been compiled, listing printed works that are available in the General Library or via Inter-Library Loan through your local public library.

3) I am looking for general information on The Natural History Museum buildings and architecture. What do you have?

An architectural bibliography is available and this provides a good starting point for those interested in the Museum building. Several books are available in the Museum Libraries - please check the online catalogue to establish their location. Recent titles are also available in the bookshop or via our online bookshop.  

4) How can I access the documents if I am unable to make a visit to the Archives?

Photocopies of some items can be supplied and microfilm copies can be made where available. You can print out the photocopy request form and post or fax it to us. Copies cannot be made if you have not signed the copyright declaration at the bottom of the form. Detailed research can be carried out on your behalf but commercial rates are charged for this service. Please contact the Archivist for more details.

5) I want to use a photograph credited to The Natural History Museum in my forthcoming book. How can I acquire a copy?

Contact the Picture Library. If they do not have the photograph that you require you can contact the Archivist who can search the collections for a suitable print.

6) I want to quote from material held by The Natural History Museum Archives in my forthcoming book. How do I do this?

Please send us a copy of any text intended for publication including the correct references to Archive material. References will be checked prior to publication to help future researchers. Please credit ‘The Natural History Museum Archives’ and cite ‘By permission of the Trustees of The Natural History Museum’.

7) I am interested in historical photographs of the Museum and its collections. Can you help?

The Natural History Museum has an online Picture Library which has a wide selection of pictures. Some photographs from the Archives are included in the Picture Library, but many more are available. Please contact the Archives for more information.

8) Can the Archives be searched online?

Our online catalogue contains over 28,000 summary descriptions - not transcripts or images - of records held in the Archives. Our records are also included in the catalogue of the National Archives under our departmental code 'DF'.

9) What other finding aids can I use?

Please see information on  finding aids. 

10) How do I trace an object that was donated to The Natural History Museum?

Contact the Archives with as much information as possible about the donor, the date of deposit, and the specimen deposited. We can then search in ‘The history of the collections housed in the natural history departments of the British Museum’ (3 volumes, London:BM(NH) 1904-1912), covering the years 1753 to 1905, departmental accession registers, and correspondence, and liaise with departments as appropriate.

11) Where is the archive of the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum, Tring, housed?

Much of the archive of the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum, is now held at South Kensington alongside the main Museum Archives. It incorporates the correspondence of Walter Rothschild and his museum curators, Karl Jordan and Ernst Hartert, with various individuals from 1890 to c1955. The correspondence is currently being indexed, and is now available up to 1902. Other material relating to the ornithological department at Tring, such as accession registers, are still held in situ. Enquiries relating to this material should still be directed to the Archives in the first instance. Material relating to former Tring entomological and zoological collections has been transferred to South Kensington.