Find answers to a range of questions about the Cheshire Archive
and Local Studies Service.
The Cheshire Archive and Local Studies Service is based in the
Cheshire Record Office at Duke Street, Chester, Cheshire. CH1 1RL.
United Kingdom.
What does the Service do?
The Service collects and preserves historical records relating
to both the ancient and modern county of Cheshire, the diocese and
the city of Chester. It makes the records available for study free
of charge by members of the public. It also provides a records
management service for the County Council and houses the Local
Studies Library. Our research service can assist members of
the public who are unable to visit the office.
In addition, the service is responsible for delivering the
archives and local studies service for Warrington and Halton
boroughs and includes the management of the manuscript collection
housed at Warrington Library.
What can be found here?
The Cheshire Archives and Local Studies Service has in its care
many thousands of records, some dating from as far back as the 12th
century. These records include:
- parish registers from the 16th century onwards (for more
information on Cheshire parishes and their registers, see 'Cheshire
Towns and Parishes' on the Family History Society of
Cheshire website)
- wills and probate records. Details of Cheshire wills for the
period 1492-1940 are on our wills database, from which copies can be ordered
online
- census returns 1841 - 1901
- poor law records
- diocesan records
- electoral records
- nonconformist records
- maps From Aug 2007, our tithe maps and
apportionments are online
- deeds
- estate papers
and the records of :
- societies
- businesses
- hospitals
- schools
- courts
- local authorities
We also hold collections of local newspapers from the 18th
century onwards, photographs and other
illustrations.
You can access
our catalogues online. These give details of the main groups of
records held by Cheshire Archives and Local Studies Service.
The records are stored on over 11 kilometres of shelving in
specially adapted strong rooms and outstores with atmospheric
controls. Their care includes monitoring and repair by a specialist
team of conservators.
The Local Studies
Library is located in Cheshire Record Office and is the
major collection of books, pamphlets, printed maps, trade
directories and other local studies material relating to
Cheshire.
Details of local studies material such as books, maps, census
returns and electoral registers which are available in libraries across the County, are
also accessible via our online catalogue.
Who
can use the records?
Anyone can use the records, free of charge.
If you wish to visit the office, it is best to guarantee
yourself a seat by telephoning in advance to make a booking to use the Record Office. If you
have never used the Record Office before, why not just browse our
catalogues, indexes and books and get used to the way things are
organised here? You can then come back prepared to start your
research!