Family History Unit
Opening hours: Mon & Tues 10pm-4pm
Additionally we are open one Saturday morning per month
There will no be a Saturday opening in April 2025 from 10am - 12 noon
[by arrangement with the Registrar, so the dates vary]
Please note our Easter and May Bank Holiday Closures:
Easter Monday: 21st April
Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 5th May
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 26th May
At the Family History Unit [FHU] we are still very mindful that some visitors might wish to observe social distancing measures and we are happy to accomdate that, please let us know ahead of your visit and we will arrange space for you to work in.
Our experienced and knowledgable volunteers are always on hand to help and guide you,no matter what your level of expertise; be you just starting out on your family history journey or more advanced, we are here for all, with suggestions and advice.
The FHU has The Genealogist and Find My Past accessible on the computers [please see note below for FMP information].
The digitised newspapers are also available via our FindMyPast edition. Ancestry World Wide is accessible on one computer
1921 Census – we are now able to offer this database, you can print off your results or better still bring along a USB stick or we can email them to you
The Genealogist has increased the data which it holds over the past 2 years, another tool to explore again.
I would normally ask that you book if you are travelling any distance so that we can be sure that you have the equipment, resources and volunteer available to you. Please contact me with requests for either day.
Email Margaret Spate on adding FHU in the subject line to distinguish from group zoom meetings.
I hope that we are able to welcome both old and new members to the Family History Unit, not forgetting any new volunteers.
Family History Unit Crewe relocated to our present home in January 2016.
The unit is housed in 3 interconnecting rooms on the second floor of the Municipal Building. The research opportunities are the same as before
but we are fortunate to have the extra space and have taken some of our requisitions out of storage.
Resources that are available include
Microfilms: Parish Records local to our area, LNWR Engineering staff records
Microfiche: BMD 1900 -1950, some Parish records and Monumental Inscriptions.
Books: General and specific to local area to aid genealogical research
CDs: FHSC publications etc.
Wills: A collection of indexed wills
Maps: Local to area, included OS maps
Computers: Internet access
Newspapers: Crewe Chronicle, Nantwich Guardian and Sandbach Chronicle, copies from 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s
In order to widen our archive we welcome donations to our collection and can arrange to scan photographs.
The library list of contents and list of Wills held can be viewed from this page. Click on ‘Holdings’ and choose either Library List or Wills.
As we are still rearranging extra holdings added to stock these lists will be updated ASAP.
The 5 computers may be used to access ‘Find My Past’, the BNA and ‘The Genealogist’, FreeBMD, FamilySearch...
Microfiche and microfilm readers are also available. If you are travelling for any distance then we advise that you book a machine in advance.
Other Archives
Within the unit there are two other archives which are available to all -
Alsager Archives:
A documentary and photographic archive deposited by local families. Originally stored at MMU Alsager in the South East Cheshire Studies Unit.
Crewe and District Local History Association Archive [C&DLHA]:
A documentary and photographic archive, wide range of subjects.
A contents list for these 2 archives will be added to this site ASAP. Contents list are available to view in the unit.
Running FHU Crewe
The unit is staffed by volunteers. These volunteers are available to offer advice on our holdings and help where appropriate.
Facilities
Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the unit with refreshment outlets nearby.
Additional charges are made for any copying or printing which can only be undertaken within copyright law.
Paid parking within the area.
Building has a lift
Visits
There is no set admission charge to the unit but we welcome donations to help with the running expenses.
Access to the unit is by the front door of the Municipal Building.
Please sign in (and out again later) at the main reception stating that you are visiting ‘Family History Unit’.
Take the lift or stairs to the second floor, entry is on your left and signed.
For Saturday openings
Please sign in (and out again later) at the main reception stating that you are visiting ‘Family History Unit’. A volunteer will then take you to the FHU
Download our information flyer - pdf Crewe Flyer .pdf(593 KB)