Cheshire Collection now at findmypast.co.uk

The Cheshire Collection – more than 10 million records spanning more than 350 years of history – has gone live at findmypast.co.uk. Fascinating workhouse records, parish registers, bishop’s transcripts and electoral registers from Cheshire are now online for the first time.

The Cheshire Collection covers not just the Church of England but also Roman Catholic and Nonconformist registers. Furthermore, they extend well beyond the core records of baptism, marriage and burial to a variety of other records giving biographical details for the residents of the county. The collection consists of more than 10 million records and includes Church of England parish registers 1538-1910, bishop’s transcripts of the parish registers 1576-1905, electoral registers 1842-1900, marriage licence bonds and allegations 1663-1905, Nonconformist and Roman Catholic records 1671-1910, and workhouse registers 1781-1910. Wills and probate records from Chester and land tax records will be added to the collection in the coming months.

Debra Chatfield, marketing manager at findmypast.co.uk, commented: ‘These records make it possible for family historians and local history researchers to delve as far back as 1538, unearthing all sorts of unusual finds quickly and easily at their finger tips. Who would have known that Cheshire was hit by an earthquake in 1612 or that James Bond actor Daniel Craig’s ancestors sold lumps of coal? Covering over 350 years of history, the Cheshire Collection is essential for anyone with Cheshire roots or connections and wanting to trace their family history, offering a fascinating glimpse into life at this time.’

To find out more and to search the records, visit http://www.findmypast.co.uk/content/news/cheshire.