Group Meetings

Because of the area covered by the Society, it is divided into eight geographical Groups. The Groups hold regular meetings, so wherever you are in the two counties there is likely to be a meeting close to you in the near future. Members of the Society, and visitors, are welcome to attend any meeting.

Groups in Dorset

Groups in Somerset

East Dorset

Meetings held at the Allendale Centre, Wimborne. Doors open 7.30 p.m., meeting starts 8.00 p.m. Click here for a location map.

Most Thursday mornings we are at the Local Study Centre, Poole Waterfront Museum.

South Dorset

All meetings are held at 7.30 p.m. in the St.Francis Church Hall, Littlemoor, Weymouth (opposite the Somerfield Store)

Wednesday 10th March AGM followed by "My early schooldays" Audience participation

Wednesday 12th May Researching my military ancestor - a real assault course Sheila Meaney

Wednesday 13th October "Tales from the Archives" Speaker from the Dorset History Centre

Wednesday 8th December Christmas meeting - A monumental Quiz Audience participation

West Dorset

West Dorset Group meet in Loders Village Hall, at 2.00p.m. Members Ł1.50 per session. Non-members Ł2 per session. Afternoon tea included.

Saturday 13th March Genetics & Heredity for Family Historians by Heather Sheeley

Saturday 9th October Researching your Welsh & Scottish ancestors by Dr. Colin Chapman

Saturday 13th November Researching house & building history by a speaker from DHC (TBA)

Blackmore Vale

Meetings held at The Exchange, Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1FH at 7.30 p.m.

Via the B3091 from Shaftesbury. Follow the route of the B3091 into Sturminster Newton until you reach the Traffic lights, turn right into Old Market hill and in about 200 yards you will see the car park in front of the Health Centre on your left. Turn in to the car park the door to the Exchange and Stur Quest is adjacent to the Health Centre.

Via the B3092 from Gillingham and the A 30. Leave Gillingham on the B3092 southwards towards East Stour, where you will cross the A 30 (anyone using the A30 will travel towards East Stour and at the crossroads turn south on to the B3092). Now follow the B3092 through Marnhull and Hinton St Mary into Sturminster Newton until you reach the traffic lights. Now turn left into the B3091 (Shaftesbury) this is Old Market Hill within 150 yards you will find a car park on the right turn in here the Exchange is in front of you.

From the South using the A 357. If coming from the East (Blandford area) follow the A 357 until you reach Sturminster Newton bridge where you turn right into the B3091 / B3092. Those coming from the West (Sherborne area using A3030) or Henstridge /Stalbridge follow the A 357 until you reach Sturminster Newton bridge where you turn left into the B3091/ B3092. You now proceed up the hill into the town and keep ahead only until you reach the traffic lights, you now turn right into the B3091 (Shaftesbury) this is Old Market Hill within 150 yards you will find a car park on the right turn in here the Exchange is in front of you.

Thursday 11th March Some aspects of the Civil War in Dorset

and Hampshire Roger Emmerson

Thursday 8th April A challenge and Q/A session

Saturday 8th May Open Day 10.00 - 4.00 At 2pm a talk by Colonel Iain Swinerton

Thursday 13th May Talk on Maps Delia Horsfall

Thursday 10th June TBA

Thursday 8th July Pre Victorian holidays Pat Hase

August No meeting

Thursday 9th September Presumed curable DHC

Thursday 14th Oct Palaeography

Thursday 11th Nov TBA

Thursday 9th Dec TBA

West Somerset

A new Group formerly known as the "Old Minehead Family History Group"

The Group meets on the last Wednesday of every month at 7pm. Members Ł1, non-Members Ł2. Refreshments included.

Venue:- Townsend House Townsend Road, Minehead, Somerset.

Programme Secretary:- Jane Butland sjsharp6@btinternet.com

Programme for 2010

Wednesday 31st March Maps in family history BobSteed

Wednesday 28th April Postcards Andew Janes

Wednesday 26th May Serendipity Anne-Marie Wilkinson

Wednesday 30th June Members evening

Wednesday 28th July Social history Ted Udall

Mid-Somerset

Please note the new meeting place: The Residents Lounge, Bluestone Court, Oxendale, Street. BA16 0NF. 7.15p.m. for 7.30p.m. start.

Programme Secretary:- Steve Wilkinson, 4 King Alfred's Way, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4BB

Taunton

Meetings held at Kilkenny Old People's Centre, side of railway station car park, Taunton at 7.30 p.m.

Programme Secretary:- Bob Steed, 77 Mountjoy Road, Bishops Hull, Taunton, TA1 5DS

Yeovil

Meetings held at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Lysander Road Yeovil (opposite B & Q) at 7.30 p.m.

Sedgemoor

Meetings held in St Johns Church Hall, Highbridge, Somerset TA9 3AG. 7.30p.m. for a 7.45p.m. start

Thursday 1^st April "Sources for Somerset rural history from the 18^th century" Somerset Record Office-speaker to be confirmed.

Thursday 3^rd June "The Lives of the Georgian Rural Poor in Eddington" by Anne Murch, local historian.

Thursday 1^st July "Merchant Navy Records" by David Hawkings, professional researcher & author.

Thursday 3^rd September "Somerset Quarter Sessions Records" by Bernard Welchman, professional researcher & author

Thursday 7^th October "Wild Oats (Bastards & Baby farming)" by Hazel Hudson, local historian & author.

Thursday 4^th November "Who does she think she is?" by Pat Hase. M.A., local historian & researcher. Followed by a short annual business meeting.

Frome Area

Meetings held at 7.15pm for a 7.30p.m. start, in The Library, Justice Lane-just off Bridge Street, Frome on the last Tuesday of every month unless otherwise stated.

Contact Wendy Miller-Williams, Frome Library, Justice Lane Frome, Somerset BA11 1BE

Tuesday 25th May Dissention in Frome Jim Parsons Meet at Dissenters Cemetery, Frome. 7.30pm