Staff at the Canal office, Surrey Commercial Docks, 1909

Collections

Frequently asked questions

We list here some of the more common enquiries that we receive. The list will grow over time and we also plan to add information sheets on a range of popular topics, such as the regeneration of the docklands or the introduction of self service stores to the UK.

General/accessing the archives

  1. Can I browse the archives to find what I’m looking for?
  2. How can I get a copy of an image from the archives?
  3. Do you keep information about the local history of the area?

Family History (Port & River)

  1. My ancestor is listed as a dock labourer in the Census. Will you have his record?
  2. What is the difference between the PLA and the private dock companies’ staff? 
  3. Do you have any staff records for dock workers from the 19th century?
  4. My father and grandfather both worked for the PLA (Port of London Authority). Do you have all the PLA staff records?
  5. Can I come and search through the staff records to find my ancestor’s name?
  6. What information do you need me to send you for a staff record search?
  7. Can I phone to give you the information you need?
  8. If you find my ancestor’s record, can I get to see the original document?
  9. I’ve heard that there can be restrictions on viewing some personal records. Is this correct?
  10. My relative worked for the dock police – do you have these records?
  11. Do you have records for Thames pilots or for watermen and lightermen?
  12. Do you keep emigration passenger lists?
  13. What information do you have relating to merchant seaman?   

Ships & Shipping

  1. Do you keep lists of all ships that entered the port, with their cargoes?
  2. As you are a museum of dock history, do you keep records of Naval Dockyards?

The Sainsbury Archive

  1. Why are the archives of Sainsbury’s at Museum of London Docklands, rather than the company’s head office?
  2. I believe that my ancestor worked for Sainsbury’s – do the archives include staff records?
  3. I’m doing a project on the history of my local area – is there anything in the Sainsbury Archive that might be useful for this?
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Sainsbury's counter assistant, 1940s