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Cheshire Archives and Local Studies

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.

The Cheshire Collection

The Cheshire Collection is an extraordinarily rich and comprehensive set of records provided by the 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.

Bishop's Transcripts

The collection of Bishop's Transcripts are a fantastic resource to explore if you had ancestors who were baptised, married or buried in the historic county of Cheshire. Records are available from as early as 1576 through to 1906.

Parish Registers

Discover your ancestors in the Church of England parish registers for the historic Diocese of Chester from 1538 to 1911, covering more than 350 years.

Non-conformist BMD Registers

The collection also includes baptism, marriage and death records for Baptists, Congregationalists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Society of Friends (Quakers), Unitarians and Roman Catholics.

Marriage License Bonds

You can search the Cheshire Marriage License Bonds and Allegations records to discover if your ancestors from Cheshire and surrounding counties were getting married by license bond between 1606 and 1905.

Workhouse Records

The following workhouse records can help you explore the lives of your ancestors who spend time in the workhouse in Cheshire. You can search admissions and discharges as well as view records of births and deaths that occurred in the workhouse.

Wills and Probate

The Cheshire Wills and Probate Records hold details for the estates of Cheshire residents over more than 250 years. Included are Wills, Letters of Administration and Inventories.

Electoral Registers and Land Tax Records

The Cheshire Electoral Registers hold almost 4 million records of those in the Cheshire area who were eligible to vote. Land Tax Assessments can also give you a better understanding of your ancestors' social standing and whether or not they were landowners.

Cheshire towns and parishes

If you need additional help identifying records of interest there is a comprehensive guide to Cheshire towns and parishes.