Search Historic Photos of England and Wales 

These images were taken over an approximately 40-year period by several different contributors. They showcase England and Wales as they once were, before World War I, during the inter-war period, and after World War II. From the mundane countryside road to the historic splendor of Warwick Castle, each image tells a story and allows you to see the area as your ancestor did. Several images were taken by military personnel for the United States.

Preserved by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Library of Congress (LOC), both in the United States, each of these images tell a unique story. The family posing at the Battlefield of Runnymede, the captivation with famous names – such as Anne Hathaway – all note a sense of tourism throughout the collection. The collection consists of two individual sets: the Stereograph Cards from the Library of Congress and the Historical Photograph Files from the National Archives and Records Administration (RG 30).

Locations are wide-spread, but the vast majority are in England, with approximately half being from the greater London area.

Courtesy: Library of Congress and National Archives and Records Administration