Visit to Weymouth Museum

At a recent meeting, the South Dorset Group of the Somerset and Dorset Family History Society, departed from its usual venue and gathered in the Weymouth Museum.  This provided an opportunity for members to view and learn about some of the archives at present housed there, both from medieval times and also from recent business activities in the town.  Richard Samways, the retired archivist began with the early history, producing the first Town Charter dated 1252, and then explaining how continuous squabbling between Weymouth and Melcombe Regis was finally resolved by an Act of Parliament in 1571.  He displayed the relevant Charter, sadly now lacking the Royal Seal.  The advent of George the Third and sea bathing launched the district as a pleasure resort, and Richard showed some accounts kept by the Mayor in1579, giving his entertainment expenses.  Records of local Court actions in 1760 also appear, with sundry persons being charged with leaving dung,  not necessarily of animal origin, outside their front doors.  Rate books, voting lists, housing details, old Ordnance maps may also be examined at the Museum.   

David Lane, one of our members next spoke about boxes of documents which he has catalogued, and which relate to the rapid development of the district around 1900.  He explained how Rodwell Avenue was developed in stages, and then turned to the activities of a Mr John Bagg, who became Mayor in 1900.  This gentleman was responsible for the building of many houses in  the Westham area, but unfortunately became bankrupt in the process, and was forced to resign.  The history of recent education is well-documented, with the beginning of Thornelow School and Weymouth College.  David finished with a flourish, producing the ‘War Reparation Book‘, in which is recorded every case of bomb damage in the Borough during the war years.

Tony Johnson

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