The South Dorset Group is a lively and thriving group, attracting on average 48 members to every group meeting. The numbers are steadily rising as Family History becomes more and more popular.

The group is run by an elected committee who have volunteered their services. An AGM is held every March and the committee is elected at this time but if you are interested in becoming more involved before then, please speak to one of us. There are always ways in which you can help! We have committee meetings in Weymouth every other month. These are relaxed, friendly affairs when we discuss group business such as meetings, trips, accounts and correspondence. Everything is very relaxed and informal. We are all volunteers and all have different levels of experience. It doesn't matter if you have only just begun researching your family, or have only just joined the society. We would be delighted to hear from you!

Some of our members are also involved with the society as a whole, either sitting on committees or acting as 'service providers'. Local service providers run the Wills and Strays indexes. Our own Murial Monk chairs the Society Publications Committee too. She has been granted honorary Life Membership of the Society in recognition of all her hard work over the years. Murial's husband, Arthur also plays a vital role in preparing material for publication and publicity for both the group and the society - and is the provider of light refreshments at committee meetings!

If you would like to help out, but don't want to join the committee, why not add your name to the coffee rota? We always need people to provide refreshments at the end of meetings. We also need people to help set the hall out before meetings and clear away afterwards. We also need people to help with our Monumental Inscriptions project and to give a hand with Society tasks such as packing 'The Greenwood Tree' when it is our group's turn. Keep an eye on the notice board at meetings, this website and the regular group newsletter for ways in which you can help! Thank you!

Our group is also contributing to a Society project to index the whole of the Dorset 1841 Census. We have already transcribed Weymouth town, Dorchester and Portland, but further help is required to the rural parishes of South Dorset from 35mm microfilm. If you would like to help with transcription at the Dorset Record Office or computer input (which can be done at home), please contact Phil Sherwood

It doesn't matter whether you want to become more involved with the society or not. Everyone - members and non-members alike - is welcome at any of our meetings and there will be no pressure on you to take on any responsibilities so don't worry! Just come along and enjoy our talks, have a chat and buy some books. Whatever your level of experience, we hope you will find something in our programme or amongst our activities which interests you and helps you gain maximum pleasure from your hobby.

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