Because of the many ways in which the Corporation of Trinity House has touched on British maritime life, the records which survive are still very rich and extremely varied. The archive is subject to a fifty year closure period and researchers must seek permission to see any record less than fifty years old. Please contact the Manuscripts Section for further details. The Printed Books Section of Guildhall Library holds a number of published works on the history of the Corporation of Trinity House, at L63.7 in the London subject catalogue. Because of shortage of staff time, Guildhall Library is unable to carry out detailed searches of the Corporation of Trinity House archive.
Enquirers are welcome to visit the Manuscripts Section in person or to hire a record agent.
Ask at the Manuscripts enquiry desk for details. The London Pilotage district extended from Felixstowe to Dungeness, taking in all the intermediate harbours and the River Thames up to London Bridge. In the forty outport districts, sub-commissioners of pilotage, appointed by the Corporation, examined pilots and recommended them for licences. Both these series of registers give pilot's age, residence, qualifications and physical description. To receive a Trinity House pension or enter an almshouse, one had to petition the Corporation.