Records of the Parish of St George the Martyr

St George the Martyr parish was responsible for the civil administration until the creation of the Metropolitan Borough of Southwark in 1900. This collection includes records of St George the Martyr Vestry including minutes and draft minutes 1716-1900 (with gaps) and the parish Churchwardens 1609-1900; Overseers of the Poor 1636-1900; Overseers Rating and Valuation Records 1635-1900; Parish Charities records 1581-1925; Records of the Surveyor of the Highways 1709-1850; Records of the Board of the Highways 1850-1855; Records of the Trustees for Lighting the South District1837-1855 (with gaps); Records of the Churchyard Trustees 1816-1863 (with gaps); and then after 1855 Treasurers Records 1856-1900 (with gaps); Public Health Records 1871-1900 (with gaps); Public Works Records 1864-1900 (with gaps); Records of the Commissioners of Baths and Wash-houses of the parish 1876-1882; Records of the Public Library Commissioners of the parish 1895-1900; and other records relating to the civil adminstration of the parish.

The parish and Southwark as a whole was part of the County of Surrey before 1889, it then became part of London with the formation of The London County Council. (Please see Surrey History Centre and London Metropolitan Archives for records not kept at Southwark Local History Library and Archive).

The parish was a separate Poor Law authority until 1869, when it became part of St Saviour's Union. It was a recognised Vestry under the Metropolis Local Management Act until 1900.