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About Cheshire Archives and Local Studies

The Cheshire Collection is an extraordinarily rich and comprehensive set of records provided by Cheshire Archives and Local Studies.

These records are essential to anyone with Cheshire roots or connections, as they cover not just the Church of England but also Roman Catholic and Non-Conformist registers, and, moreover, extend well beyond these core records of baptism, marriage and burial to a variety of other records giving biographical details for the residents of the county.

The records you can search in the Cheshire Collection are:

Bishop's Transcripts

  • Cheshire Diocese of Chester bishop's transcripts baptisms 1576-1906
  • Cheshire Diocese of Chester bishop's transcripts marriages 1576-1906
  • Cheshire Diocese of Chester bishop's transcripts burials 1576-1906


  • Parish Registers

  • Cheshire Diocese of Chester Parish baptisms 1538-1911
  • Cheshire Diocese of Chester Parish marriages 1538-1910
  • Cheshire Diocese of Chester Parish burials 1538-1911


  • Non-conformist BMD registers

  • Cheshire Non-Conformist & Roman Catholic registers (Baptism) 17th Century-1910
  • Cheshire Non-Conformist & Roman Catholic registers (Marriages) 17th Century-1910
  • Cheshire Non-Conformist & Roman Catholic registers (Burials) 17th Century-1910


  • Workhouse Records

  • Cheshire workhouse records (baptisms) 1880-1911
  • Cheshire workhouse records (births) 1819-1911
  • Cheshire workhouse records (burials) 1880-1900
  • Cheshire workhouse records (deaths) 1837-1911
  • Cheshire workhouse records (religious creeds) 1781-1910
  • Cheshire workhouse records (admissions & discharges) 1800-1911


  • Marriage Licence Bonds and Wills & Probate

  • Cheshire marriage licence bonds and allegations 1606-1905
  • Cheshire wills and probate records 1660-1911


  • Electoral Registers & Land Tax Records

  • Cheshire electoral registers 1842-1900
  • Cheshire land tax assessments 1779-1832



  • For additional help identifying records of interest there is a comprehensive guide to Cheshire towns and parishes and online mapping based on Cheshire tithe maps.

    Cheshire Archives and Local Studies collects, preserves and promotes interest in and the use of archives, records and printed material relating to the historic county of Cheshire. The service has in its care many thousands of records, some dating from as far back as the 12th century.

    As well as the records which have been digitised and published on findmypast. Cheshire Archives and Local Studies has extensive holdings of family and estate collections, hospital, asylum and school collections, local authority and court records, business collections including railways, chemical and motor vehicle manufacturers, diocesan, Chester Cathedral and parish collections.

    Cheshire Archives and Local Studies also holds collections of local newspapers from the 18th century onwards, photographs, and the major collection of books, pamphlets, printed maps, trade directories and other local studies material.

    Copyright Statement

    Images reproduced by courtesy of the Cheshire Archives and Local Studies Service, Chester, England.

    The Cheshire Archives and Local Studies Service gives no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided.

    Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education. Applications for any other use should be made to
    Cheshire Archives and Local Studies Service
    Cheshire Record Office
    Duke Street
    Chester CH1 1RL
    England

    Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action