New discoveries have come to light as Cheshire's shared archives service continues preparations for its move to two new state-of-the-art centres in Crewe and Chester in 2026.

Cheshire Archives looks after more than 5,000 Ordnance Survey maps, some of which go back more than 150 years.

The archives team and its volunteers have already carefully catalogued more than 2,000 maps from between 1871 and 1944, producing some intriguing results. 

Among the discoveries are some quirky place names such as Bogginshill, Snape Farm, Blackdog and Gnat Hole, the latter of which is in Bollington.

Alongside these, the team has found curious annotations and historic business stamps, including those from John H Davies & Son, Architects and Surveyors, and The Salt Union, offering a glimpse into how these maps were once used in everyday life. 

Chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, Cllr Michael Gorman, said: "Maps are endlessly fascinating. They connect us to the past in a way few other records can.

"The work our archives team is doing will unlock a rich archive of local history for residents and researchers alike and both at our new centres and online.

"And who doesn't enjoy a peculiar place name? You can't help but wonder who lived in Bogginshill and what their lives were like." 

Excerpt from map showing the place 'Bogginshill'in North Rode (Credit: CEC)

Previously, finding this kind of detail would have meant sifting through over a well-thumbed paper index.

But, thanks to the ongoing work of the archives service and its volunteers, this information will now be more easily available when a new digital platform launches next spring. 

Cheshire East Council's heritage champion, councillor Jill Rhodes, said: "Our archives team is undertaking an enormous amount of work behind the scenes to prepare for the move to our fabulous new centres next year.  

"It is great to see that what they are doing now is already creating a positive impact for people who will be coming to our new centres and accessing the digital archive next year. I'm sure many appetites are already whetted."

Excerpt from map showing the place 'Gnat Hole' in Bollington (Credit: CEC)

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Louise Gittins, said: "As a keen walker, exploring new areas always requires a good map.

"Whilst today we all rely on our phones and satnavs, looking at old maps takes us back to a landscape over 100 years ago.

"Maps are just one of the many priceless archives that hold the history of Cheshire and next year they will be more accessible in the two new Cheshire Archives centres."