March 16th, 2011 
Linda Elliott 
I have been asked by Cheshire Archives & Local Studies to advise you all of their new web address http://archives.cheshire.gov.uk
Their web sites looks good and is easy to use which is especially helpful for those new to genealogy. They have the Cheshire Tithe Maps online plus their catalogue which was simple and straightforward – just what is needed!
http://archives.cheshire.gov.uk
Related posts:
Posted in Archives, Libraries & Museums, Archives, Libraries & Museums, Getting Started, Take It Further 
Tags: Cheshire, Cheshire Archives & Local Studies, Family History, Genealogy, Tithe Maps
Hi, I am Linda Elliott, a genealogist with 30+ years experience in ancestor hunting. I work as a professional family historian and have helped many people with their family trees. My aim with Mad About Genealogy is to share with you, the many website links, information and the latest genealogy news that I come across. I hope you enjoy your visit to my website and will come and visit on a regular basis.
Hi Linda,
Great website/blog I follow you via my Google Reader – I wouldn’t have noticed this if you hadn’t posted it, good work. Happy for you to feedback my comments to the Archives.
Basically my opinion is that this is a extremely poor web site, difficult to navigate and poorly tested.
I love visiting the the Archives in Duke Street, the staff are friendly and items easy to find. This web site does not do justice to the Archives and the dedicated staff.
I have done some of my own testing on this site following my experiences of last week whence I had looked for the Overleigh Cemetry records. I had used this database in the past – but couldn’t find them. In fact I had to use Google to find them. My thought was that this is a temporary site in the process of an upgrade, not one that was ready to use!
What on earth does Search and Shop mean? Surely there should be a link that points you to the excellent databases that they have. Shopping is something totally different.
I take it that CW&C and the Archives don’t liaise with each other, why would you explain the difference in visual results of these 2 links?
http://apps.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/CMS/LacOverleighCemetery/search.aspx
http://archivedatabases.cheshire.gov.uk/cms/LacOverleighCemetery/search.aspx
Why does the Cheshire West & Chester Council web site (whose demise the Archives resides within) not have a link to the Archives? It is under F – Family History – Cheshire Record Office.
I have just noticed that the 3 icons in circles at the top of the main page don’t redirect you? You have to click the words underneath.
I would have thought that domain cheshire.gov.uk is redundant as Cheshire is now split. Should the CRO be using the CW&C domain name.
What is one of the first things you need to know when visiting a Record Office – Where is the nearest car park? Should this be under Planning a Visit and not Facilities? Even then it mentions limited parking nearby – nearby where, there is no explaination? Old Roodee is nearby – I wouldn’t call that limited parking!
Sorry to ramble on (and I could), I will wrap this up. Basically my opinion on this web site is “not fit for purpose”. It certainly will not win any awards.
Tony