Latest News from Cheshire Archives and Local Studies
Welcome
Welcome to our latest newsletter! Thank you for agreeing to receive regular updates from us. If you think our news would interest anyone else, they can subscribe here (it is just as easy to unsubscribe).
Cheshire’s archives: a story shared – construction work
Since the beginning of April, cranes have been on site at Lightfoot Street, Hoole, to commence the steelwork which will form the structure of the new centre there. This should be completed by the end of May, by which time the steelwork for the Crewe centre will be well underway.
Cheshire’s archives: a story shared – Astbury Bound, 17th May, Astbury Mere, 11.30am-4pm
Join us and Wild Rumpus at this free family event at Astbury Mere near Congleton. Enjoy creative craft workshops that celebrate Cheshire’s rich natural history using the archives and local studies collections. The day will end with a musical parade around the Mere, in a nod to the ancient tradition of Beating the Bounds. It's a perfect day out for the whole family.
Find out more about Wild Rumpus
Pop-up Apothecary – Saturday 24th May
Join us as we travel back in time to explore how plants were used to treat horrible headaches and ferocious farts!
Chester Heritage Festival
Launch of our new catalogue
You may have noticed that our online catalogue looks different, but you can still explore the same collections information on an updated and user-friendly platform with some new features!
It is easy to search, sort and filter your results, and you can now use the 'Add to saved records' button to save items and email your list to yourself or us with your enquiry. While the Record Office is closed to in-person visits until our new centres open in 2026, you can still visit a library, request research assistance, or order document copies.
Fancy discovering something new? Take a look at featured collections like our newly digitised Warrington and Runcorn New Town archive.
Catalogue
Visit our help page for tips and tricks to get you started:
Catalogue help
Ellesmere Port Gems- We need your help!
Now that the initial shortlisting of Ellesmere Port Gems is complete, the next stage of the selection process requires your support! Follow the link/QR code below to complete a short survey about some of the potential Gems chosen by the community groups and volunteers we've been working with.
We also need your help identifying some of our mystery images for Ellesmere Port and to share your knowledge of the events, places, and people associated with these Gems. Remember, your choices will help to inform which Gems appear on the new Cheshire Archives website - so make your voice heard!
Link to survey
More about Gems project
Our latest stories shared
When we open our new centres next year, our new web site will allow you to search by postcode for documents and images that best represent a local area, chosen by communities as part of our Gems process. We’ve recently been working with the North West Film Archive to identify potential film clips to include as well – can you help us decide which ones?
A Gems Story - Moving Images
We are lucky enough to have a recently transformed county archive service as neighbours so the Cheshire Archives team recently visited the Staffordshire History Centre (SHC) to hear how they had got on navigating the construction of a new building, developing and delivering activity and learning programmes in a new community-focused space.
A Moving Story - A Visit to Staffordshire History Centre
When we selected Hoole related images to appear on the panels introducing our new centre on the Lightfoot Street wall, we had no idea how many spellings of Hoole we would discover. Visit them in person to see just how many - and enjoy five highlights from our collections with links to Hoole including an overhead view of a balloon flight across Chester in a hydrogen filled balloon in 1785.
A Hoole story
Searchroom news
Our amber-tinted Searchroom image indicates that in-person access to the collections is now closed.
Although the Record Office closed to the public on 8 August our online services are not affected, and you are still able to order copies of documents and request research services (until the image turns red at the start of 2026 to indicate full closure!). Libraries across Cheshire will continue to provide access to local history books and maps as well as providing free access to family history websites.
Visiting us