Locations
Dorset History Centre
Address: Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1RP
Telephone: 01305 250550 Fax 01305 257184
Opening Hours: Monday: We hold volunteer activities, planned group visits and other events.
Tuesday - Friday: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday: 9.00 to 4.30pm
On Mondays The Centre runs volunteer activities, visits by prearranged groups and other organised events.
(Additional note: car parking, which is often difficult on site on weekdays is easy on Saturdays - as we have the whole car park virtually to ourselves.)
Please note that we no longer have an advance booking system.
Closed for all Bank Holidays
Advance booking recommended.
E-mail: archives@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Web Site: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/archives
Somerset Heritage Centre formerley the Somerset Record Office
Address:
Somerset Heritage Centre
Brunel Way
Langford Mead
Norton Fitzwarren
Taunton
TA2 6SF
Telephone: 01823 278805 (enquiries) 01823 337600 (Appointments if you want to reserve a space)
Opening Hours:
The Record Office is open throughout the year with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, all bank holidays and during our annual closure (see below).
Monday 1.00pm - 5.00pm
Tuesday - Friday 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Alternate Saturdays 9.00 am - 1.00 pm Check the website for exact dates.
E-mail: archives@somerset.gov.uk
Web Site: http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/
Bath City Record Office
Address: Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW
Telephone: 01225 477421
Opening Hours: Tues - Thurs 9.00a.m. - 1.00p.m., 2.00p.m. - 5.00p.m.; Fridays 9.00a.m. - 1.00p.m., 2.00p.m. - 4.30p.m. Book in Advance.
E-mail: archives@bathnes.gov.uk
Web Site: http://www.batharchives.co.uk
Bournemouth Reference Library
Address: Heritage Librarian, The Heritage Zone, Bournemouth Library, 22 The Triangle, Bournemouth BH2 5RQ
Telephone: 01202 454848
Fax: 01202 454840
Opening Hours: Mon: 10.00 - 7.00 Tues: 9.30 - 7.00 Weds: 9:30 - 5.00 Thurs: 9.30 - 7.00 Fri: 9.30 - 7.00 Sat: 10.00 - 4.00
Email: heritage@bournemouthlibraries.org.uk
Website: www.bournemouth.gov.uk/libraries
Dorchester Reference Library
Address: Dorchester Reference Library, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ
Telephone: 01305 224448/224501 Fax: 01305 266120
Opening hours: Monday 10.00 am - 7.00 pm, Tuesday 9.30 am - 7.00 pm, Wednesday 9.30 am - 7.00 pm, Thursday 9.30 am - 5.00 pm, Friday 9.30 am - 7.00 pm, Saturday 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
Web Site: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=4419
Note:
The Library has copies on microfilm of local newspapers dating back to the start of the 19th Century. Film Reader booking is advisable. The Library also has access to the Internet for visitors use.
Local Studies Library, Taunton
Address: Somerset Studies Library The Library, Paul Street, Taunton, TA1 3XZ;
Telephone: 01823 340300; Fax 01823 340301.
Opening times: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9.30 am - 5.30 pm, Wednesday and Friday 9.30 am - 7.00 pm, Saturday 9.30 am - 4.00 pm.
LDS Family History Centre, Bristol
Address: 721 Wells Road, Whitchurch, Somerset
Telephone. 01275 838326
Opening hours: Monday - Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10.00a.m. - 4.00p.m., 7.00p.m. - 9.30p.m. Closed some Saturdays
Note: Telephone for all booking.
LDS Family History Centre, Poole
Address: 8 Mount Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset
Telephone: 01202 730646
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9.30a.m. - 4.00p.m., 6.30p.m. - 9.00p.m.
Note: Phone during opening hours only for appointment.
LDS Family History Centre, Weymouth
Address: 396 Chickerell Road, Dorset
Opening hours: Thursday 9.00a.m. - 4.p.m., 7.00p.m. - 9.00p.m.
LDS Family History Centre. Yeovil
Address: Forest Hill.
Telephone. 01935 426817
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday 10.30a.m. - 4.30.p.m.
North Somerset Studies Library
Address. Weston Library, Boulevard, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1PL
Telephone. 01934 636638
E-mail. weston.library@n-somerset.gov.uk
Web Site: http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/enjoying/libraries/resources/north+somerset+studies+library1.asp
Poole Central Library
Address. Dolphin Centre, Poole, Dorset BH15 1QE
Telephone. 01202 262424
E-mail. centrallibrary@poole.gov.uk
Bridport Museum
Address: The Coach House, Gundry Lane, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3RJ
Telephone: (01308) 422116.
Opening times: April to end of October, 10.00 am - 5.00 pm Monday – Saturday, Summer only.
Admission: Adults £1.00, accompanied children free.
Web Site: http://www.bridportmuseum.co.uk
E-mail: office@bridportmuseum.co.uk
Beaminster Museum
Address: Whitcombe Road, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3BU
Telephone: 01308 863623
Opening times: Easter to end of September, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Bank Holidays, 10.30 am - 12.30 pm; 2.30 pm- 4.30 pm Sundays, 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm
Admission: Adults £1.00, children free
Web Site: http://www.btinternet.com/~chemeg/
Note: A new museum in the making housed in an old congregational church. Displays feature the town with its historic buildings, the history of the chapel, and family history including the Hine Cognac family who came from the town.
Dorset County Museum
Address: High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA
Telephone: 01305 262735 Fax: 01305 257180
Opening hours: October - June, Monday - Saturday 10.00a.m. - 5.00p.m. July - September also open Sunday same hours.
Admission charges: Adults £5.80 Children under 5 years free, 5 to 15 years 2 accompnaied children free, 3rd child £1.00, Family Rate £15.00 Concessions £4.80
E-mail: dorsetcountymuseum@dor-mus.demon.co.uk
Web Site: http://www.dorestcountymuseum.org
Note:
The Museum has strong literary connections with Hardy and Barnes, and also has collections of historic books and references to many families.
Gillingham Museum
(The Museum for Gillingham and the villages of northern Dorset)
Address: Chantry Fields, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4UA
Opening times: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 10.00a.m. - 5.00p.m., Sat 9.30a.m. - 12.30p.m.
Web Site: http://www.brwebsites.com/gillingham.museum/
Lyme Regis Philpot Museum
Address: Bridge Street, Lyme Regis.
Telephone: 01297 443370.
Opening times: 1st April - 31st October, Mon - Sat 10.00a.m. - 5.00p.m., Sunday 11.00a.m. - 5.00p.m. 1st November - 31st March open and weekends and school holidays.
Admission: Adults £2.20, Over 60s and 15 - 22s £1.60, accompanied children free.
Web Site: http://www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk
E-mail: info@lymeregismuseum.co.uk
Museum of South Somerset
Address: Hendford, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1UN
Telephone: 01395 424774
Opening times: 1st April - 30th September, Tues - Sat, 10.00a.m. - 4.00p.m.; 1st October - 31st March, Tues - Fri, 10.00a.m. - 4.00p.m.
Admission: Free
Web Site: http://www.southsomersetmuseums.org.uk/southsomerset/ss-intro.htm
E-mail: heritage.services@southsomerset.gov.uk
Click here for information about what the museum can offer family historians.
Priest's House Museum, Wimborne
Address: The Priest's House, 23 - 27 High Street, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1HR
Telephone: 01202 882533.
Opening times: 1st April - 30th October, Mon - Sat, 10.00a.m. - 4.30p.m.; also for the two weeks after Christmas.
Admission: Adults £3.00 Senior Citizens/NUS Students £2.00 Children £1.00 Family ticket (2 adults + up to 3 children ) £7.50
Web Site: http://www.aboutbritain.com/PriestsHouseMuseum.htm
E-mail: priestshouse@eastdorsetdc.gov.uk
Sherborne Museum
Address: Abbey Gate House, Church Lane, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3BP
Telephone: 01935 812252.
Opening times: Easter - October, Tues - Sat, 10.30a.m. - 4.30p.m.,Sunday and Bank Holiday 2.30p.m. - 4.30p.m.
Admission: Adults £1.00, children and students free.
Web Site: http://www.aboutbritain.com/SherborneMuseum.htm
E-mail: admin@shermus.fsnet.co.uk
Note: Opened in 1968, this museum features local geology, social history, and industrial and agricultural bygones.
Wareham Museum
Address: Town Hall, East Street, Wareham.
Telephone: 01929 553448.
Opening times: 9th April - 29th Ocotber, Mon - Sat, 10.00a.m. - 4.00p.m.; 25th July - 29th August also Sunday 2.00p.m. - 4.00p.m.
Admission free.
Note: Local town history and collection of Lawrence of Arabia's photographs and ephemera.
Waterfront and Scaplens Court Museum, Poole
Address: 4 High Street, Poole, Dorset BH15 1BW.
Telephone: 01202 683138.
Opening hours: Sunday 2.00p.m. - 5.00p.m. Mon - Sat 10.00a.m. - 5.00p.m.
Admission charged.
Note: These museums are housed in historic buildings near Poole Quay. The Waterfront records Poole's history, while Scaplen's Court concentrates on domestic history and childhood with many 'hands-on' exhibits.
Somerset County Museum
Address: Taunton Castle, Castle Green, Taunton TA1 4AA
Telephone: (01823) 355504 or 320201; fax (01823) 320229
Opening times: Tues - Sat and Bank Holiday Mondays 10.00a.m. - 5.00p.m.; closed Good Friday.
Admission: Free
E-mail: county-museums@somerset.gov.uk.
Web Site: http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/culturecommunity/museums/somersetmuseums/somersetcountymuseum
Note: Facilities for the disabled and baby changing area. Convenient car and coach parking near by in Tangier. For further details and enquiries contact Somerset County Museum.
The Keep Military Museum, Dorchester
Address: The Keep, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset
Telephone: 01305 264066
Opening times:
9.30 - 5pm Monday to Saturday 1st April - 30th September
9.30- 5pm Tuesday to Saturday 1st October - 31st March
10.00am - 4pm - Bank Holidays
Last admission - 1 hour before closing
Closed - Sundays and for two weeks over Christmas/New Year
Admission: Adults £4.00, Concessions £3.00, Family ticket (2 adults + up to 3 children) £12.00, Annual Membership - £8 per person (unlimited free admission during opening hours for one year)
E-mail: thekeep@westcountry.net
Web Site: http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org
Note:
The Keep holds a number of records of Family History interests for the Devonshire, Dorsetshire and Devonshire and Dorset Regimets, although it does not hold any service records. Please write or email with full details of your enquiry. A charge may be made for research. Access to the Library is by prior appointment only.
Registrars of Births, Marriages and Deaths, Dorset
East Dorset (which includes Wimborne and Christchurch)
The Register Office
King George V Pavilion
Peter Grant Way
Ferndown
Dorset
North Dorset (which includes Blandford, Gillingham, Shafetsbury and Sherbourne)
The Register Office
Salisbury Road
Blandford
Dorset
South Dorset (which includes Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland, Swanage and Wareham)
The Register Office
The Guildhall
St Edmund Street
Weymouth
Dorset
West Dorset (which includes Bridport & Lyme Regis)
The Register Office
Mountfield
Bridport DT6 3JP
Bournemouth
The Register Office
159 Old Christchurch Road
Bournemouth
Poole
The Register Office,
Civic Centre Annexe, Park Road
Poole
...
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