What We Hold

What we hold

Search our catalogues | Search our databases | Researching the records

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 records from the 16th century onwards
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. These are all available online at the Record Office via Ancestry. The 1911 census is available free of charge at the Record Office via Find My Past.
poor law records
diocesan records
records relating to Chester Cathedral
electoral registers
nonconformist records
maps. Our tithe maps and apportionments are online
estate records

and the records of :

societies
businesses
hospitals
schools
courts - Cheshire County Quarter Sessions, Chester City Quarter Sessions and Petty Sessions
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 and at Warrington Library. It’s also worth searching A2A , hosted by The National Archives.

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. Some printed maps and trade directories are available online:

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.