where to search

[MaryCrook69]

Hello
I am planning a trip to London.  My time in the city is limited. Could someone please tell me where the best place to go for Family history.
My main search is around The Crook Surname.  The only information I am sure of is that this family worked in the clothworkinf industry and were in Westminster, Middlesex in 1842 and Tottenham, Middlesex in 1851-61.
anything will be helpful.
Thank you

[jorose]

The main places in London are:

FRC - where the GRO index books and census info are kept, also some will info.
http://www.familyrecords.gov.uk/frc/default.htm

National Archives - used to be the PRO, at Kew - www.nationalarchives.gov.uk - lots of records including military records, etc.

LMA - London Metropolitan Archives, for parish records, workhouse records, school records, electoral records, etc, for the London area.
webpage here

Finally there's the Guildhall library which is where parish records for the 'square mile' in London and also records from the Livery companies etc can be found
webpage here.

There's also the British Library's newspaper collection reading rooms:
http://www.bl.uk/collections/newspapers.html

If I had to choose only one, I'd go for the LMA.  (In fact, I'll be there this Saturday).

[MaryCrook69]

Thanks for the info. 
Very Helpful.