Latest News from Cheshire Archives and Local Studies
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Cheshire’s archives: a story shared building update
Good progress with construction continues in Chester and Crewe. Piling at the Crewe centre (pictured above) is now complete. This involves driving columns into the ground to support and stabilise the foundations.
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.
Our latest stories shared
We recently welcomed four Upton-by-Chester High School students to a week of work experience at Cheshire Archives. They tried their hand at deciphering and transcribing historic documents, indexing maps and photographs, and learned how to identify documents then find them in our strongrooms. You can read highlights on our project site from each student of the time they spent with us – as one of them said, there is definitely 'A lot more to archives than old paper!'
A Volunteering Story - "A lot more to archives than old paper!"
Marmalade sandwiches for Cheshire Day!
'A wise bear always keeps a marmalade sandwich in his hat in case of emergency.'
At Cheshire Archives we hold the first recipe for orange marmalade written down in English. The recipe for 'marmelet of oranges can be found in Eliza Cholmondeley’s book of 200 remedies and recipes, dating from 1677. We included an image of it in our recipe booklet published on our project site.
With Paddington Bear currently residing at Storyhouse Chester, and this year’s Cheshire Day on Sunday 30 March being a celebration of the county’s food and drink, we couldn't resist the chance to share our historical gem with the famous bear. Imagine his delight at discovering the origins of his beloved marmalade! Keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook feeds this Sunday to see a video of the encounter.
Marmalade recipe