The Cheshire Collection

Discover your Cheshire ancestors in The Cheshire Collection. This extraordinary set of records is provided by the Cheshire Archives and Local Studies and is a must for anyone with Cheshire roots and connections.

Comprehensive baptism, marriage and death records are not limited to the Church of England in the Diocese of Chester but also cover the Roman Catholic and Non-Conformist registers for the surrounding county. The collection goes far beyond simple parish and denominational records. You can also find thousands of wills and probate records and, at the other end of the scale, records from Cheshire’s seven 19th century workhouses, providing a wealth of biographical details about residents of the historic 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



    • If you need additional help identifying records of interest there is a comprehensive guide to Cheshire towns and parishes as well as an online mapping tool 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 looks after many thousands of records, some dating as far back as the 12th century.

    As well as the digitised records available 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 local studies material including books, pamphlets, printed maps, trade directories.

    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