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Where is the Service based?

The Cheshire and Chester 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 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 and Chester 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 (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 and Chester 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!