Sources for the history of Dorchester
The Dorset History Centre in
Dorchester is the archives service for
Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset.
In addition to original, historical
documents, the History Centre also
holds books, pamphlets, magazines
and other printed material relating to
Dorchester.
Our archive collections include:
Church records, including registers of
baptisms, marriages and burials
• School records including admission
registers and log books
• Business records, including brewers,
solicitors, architects and more
• Records of groups and societies like
the Women’s Institute, Scouts, local
sports clubs and others
• Court records, along with prison
registers
• Family and estate records including
correspondence, deeds, diaries, lists of
tenants etc
• Maps and plans, such as tithe maps,
Ordnance Survey maps and architect’s
plans
• Local newspapers on microfilm
• Local trade directories
•
Dorset History Centre
Bridport Road
Dorchester
DT1 1RP
Tel: 01305 250550
Fax: 01305 257184
[email protected]
And much more!
Dorchester is a market town in the west of Dorset and situated
with the River Frome on its northern side. It is famous for being
the home of one of literature’s finest; Thomas Hardy. The Roman
name for Dorchester was ‘Durnovaria’ and on their arrival
(around 44AD) the Roman’s fought the native tribe who were
called the ‘Durotriges’ and lived at the Iron Age hillfort we now
call ‘Maiden Castle’. It is believed that Dorchester has been a
settlement for 6,000 years – sine the Neolithic Period.
DID YOU KNOW?
•
•
•
The last public hanging that took place in Dorchester was in
1856 by the gate of Dorchester Prison. The execution of the
lady, who was named Martha Brown, was witnessed by a
young Thomas Hardy.
The population of Dorchester more than halved due to the
Black Death that besieged the country in 1348.
Dorchester features in the novels of Thomas Hardy under
the name of ‘Casterbridge’.
Below is a list of some of our collections relating to
Dorchester. The references in brackets are for the
collection as a whole. Please contact us for further
information, or see our online catalogue:
www.dorsetforyou.com/dorsethistorycentre/catalogue
Local Government and Official Bodies:
Extracts of Dorchester Borough Records [D.615] Small
Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Elections (Municipal) [D.636] Medium Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester District Valuation Office [NG/V] Single
Catalogued Item
Dorchester petty sessions 1811-1995 [PS/DO] Large Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Rural District Council [DC/DOR] Single
Catalogued Item
Dorchester and district chamber of commerce 1916 – 1923
[D.2180] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorset county gaol, Dorchester, archive 1824 [D.525] Small
Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Rural Deanery [RD/DO] Single Catalogued Item
Dorchester board of guardians 1888 - 1930 [BG/DO] Large
Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester and District Trades Union Council [D.568] Large
Sized Catalogued Collection
County Treasurers Accounts and Dorchester Prison Accounts [D.1/LG] Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester borough petty sessions 1903-1964 [PS/DOB]
Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester union workhouse 1896 [D.1693] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Borough 1304-1901 [DC/DOB] Large Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester court case 1776 [D.1222] Small Sized Catalogued
Collection
County courts 1880-1992 [CY] Large Sized Catalogued
Collection
Dorchester highways board 1863-1888 [BH/DO] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester prison 1782 – 1994 [NG/PR 1] Large Sized
Catalogued Collection
Church Records:
Dorchester Holy Trinity Parish 1492-1975 [PE/DO(HT)] Large
Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester St Peter's Parish 1653-1985 [PE/DO(SP)] Large
Sized Catalogued Collection
Engraving of St. Peter's Church, Dorchester c.1982 – 1993
[Ph963] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorford Baptist Church/Dorchester Baptist Church 18822004 [NB.9] Single Catalogued Item
Dorchester Methodist Circuit 1768-1996 [NM.2] Large Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Congregational Church/United Reformed
Church 1813-1991 [NP.5] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester All Saints Parish 1486/87 – 1981 [PE/DO(AS)]
Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Family and Estate collections:
Dufall family of Dorchester archive, 1858 – 1859 [D.347]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Snowie family of Dorchester archive 1932-1990 [D.1206]
Large Sized Catalogued Collection
James Paine of Dorchester [D.742] Small Sized Catalogued
Collection
Lock family of Dorchester archive 1913 [D.2178] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Fudge family of Dorchester 1864-1930 [D.1461] Large Sized
Catalogued Collection
Albert James Rossiter of Dorchester archive 1925-1953
[D.1444] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Snook family of Dorchester and Shaftesbury 1890-1952
[D.1439] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Pamela Cunnington of Dorchester, architect, archive 19701990 [D.1277] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Polley family of Dorchester 1942-2003 [D/PLY] Single
Catalogued Item
Edgar Lane Collection [D.2225] Large Sized Uncatalogued
Collection
Sherlock family of Dorchester archive 1932 [D.1837] Small
Sized Catalogued Collection
Trew family of Dorchester archive 1912-1982 [D.1001] Small
Sized Catalogued Collection
South Court House, Dorchester [D.935] Single Catalogued
Item
Joseph Barnes of Dorchester archive 1852 [D.291] Small
Sized Catalogued Collection
Katherine Escott of Dorchester archive 1939 – 1953 [D.412]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Assizes [D.698] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Herbert Percy miller of Dorchester archive 1879 [D.529]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Thomas White of Dorchester archive 1855 – 1883 [D.381]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Tapp family of Dorchester archive 1758-1850 [D.1010] Small
Sized Catalogued Collection
Burden family of Dorchester archive 1918-1953 [D.1052]
Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Greenings Court, Dorchester, archive 1929-1993 [D.1481]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
George Case of Dorchester archive 1857 [D.1130] Small
Sized Catalogued Collection
Lock family of Dorchester 1829-1960s [D/LOC] Single Catalogued Item
Willis and Summers family of Dorchester archive 1656 –
1814 [D.237] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Major William Alford Lewis of Dorchester archive 1955 2000
[D.1845] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
William Charles Symonds of Bockhampton and Dorchester
archive 1930 - 1940s [D.1561] Small Sized Catalogued
Collection
Schools:
Dorchester Grammar School 1940 [D.932] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester middle school 1978-1988 [S.263] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Holy Trinity Infants' School, Dorchester 1862 – 1908
[S.152] Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Maiden Castle special school, Dorchester 1976 – 1994
[S.262] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Castlefield upper school for girls, Dorchester 1978-1988
[S.261] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Penwithen adjustment unit/Penwithen special school,
Dorchester 1977-1988 [S.150] Large Sized Catalogued
Collection
Thomas Hardye school, Dorchester 1792-1995 [S.299]
Single Catalogued Item
Dorchester county infants school, maud road 1957-1981
[S.155] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester grammar school for girls 1930-1980 [S.159]
Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester County modern school 1940 – 1980 [S.182]
Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester school for young ladies 1870 [D.397] Small
Sized Catalogued Collection
Business collections:
Thurmans of Dorchester, Ironmongers [D.901] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Eldridge pope of Dorchester, brewers 1865-2001 [D/ELP]
Single Catalogued Item
James Foot ltd of Dorchester, corn merchants 1906-1980
[D.1204] Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Lawton's Bill-Posting Firm, Dorchester [D.632] Medium
Sized Catalogued Collection
Hannah and Holland of Dorchester, cabinet-makers, upholsterers and decorators 1906-1912 [D.1184] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
T Burt and son ltd of Dorchester, coal merchants, late
1950’s/60’s [D.2200] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
B J Fry engineers of Dorchester archive 1920 – 1960
[D.1649] Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Crickmay and sons of Dorchester, architects 1854-1970
[D/CMY] Single Catalogued Item
B J Fry's dairy, old kings road, Dorchester 1946-1954
[D.1665] Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Star beer house, Dorchester, archive 1799 - 1974 [D.528]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Magnus Austin of Dorchester, architect 1922-1984 [D/MAD]
Single Catalogued Item
John Stark and Partners of Dorchester, Architects [D/JSP]
Dorchester hotels 1943-1944 [D.1485] Medium Sized
Catalogued Collection
Matthews and Matthews of Dorchester, surveyors 19541960 [D/MAM] Single Catalogued Item
Gideon Wright and son of Dorchester, grocers 1760-1920
[D.108] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Steam Laundry Company [D.687] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Goulds Ltd of Dorchester [D.877] Small Sized Catalogued
Collection
A L J Tilley of Dorchester, architect 1894-1895 [D.1257]
Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Henry Ling of Dorchester, stationer, archive 1863 [D.1047]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
W J Burden of Dorchester, bootmaker n.d. early 20th cent
[D.1762] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Jefferey, Gunsmiths of Dorchester [D/JEF] Single Catalogued
Item
Elliott of Dorchester, milkman, archive 1945 – 1954 [D.1482]
Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Tilleys of Dorchester 1940-1970s [D/TIL] Single Catalogued
Item
Braybrooks of Dorchester, watchmakers 1896 - 20th Cent
[D/BDW] Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
N V Jones of Dorchester, chiropodist, archive 1950-1976
[D.1109] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Durden, Spicer and Evans of Dorchester, chemists 18631968 [D/DSE] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Andrews, Son and Huxtable solicitors, Dorchester 15241900 [D/ASH] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Thomas Coombes and son of Dorchester, solicitors 1509 –
1963 [D/COO] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Dr C D Day of Dorchester Archive Late 20th Cent [D.278]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
H C bailey of Dorchester, drapers and outfitters 1886-1888
[D.973] Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Porter, Mangnall and Coggins of Dorchester, solicitors
1719-1952 [D/PMC] Single Catalogued Item
Thurmans of Dorchester, Ironmongers [D.982] Large Sized
Catalogued Collection
White Horse Hotel, Maiden Castle, Dorchester [D.1183]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Ensors of Dorchester, estate agents, valuers and auctioneers c.1890-1986 [D/ENS] Single Catalogued Item
Henry Duke and son of Dorchester, estate agents and
auctioneers archive 1857 – 1865 [D.1755] Medium Sized
Catalogued Collection
Lock, Reed and Lock of Dorchester, solicitors 1757-1899
[D/LRL] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Groups and societies:
Dorchester and district investment club archive 1960 –
1984 [D.2026] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester young women's Christian association players/
Dorchester players archive 1946-1999 [D.1673] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Fishing Club [D.593] Large Sized Catalogued
Collection
Salisbury Diocesan association for moral welfare
(Dorchester area) archive 1903 – 1960 [D.443] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Evening Townswomen's Guild 1966-2006
[D.2233]
Salvation Army, Dorchester citadel 1931- early 1960’s
[D.2201] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Soroptimist International, Dorchester and district branch
1976 – 1992 [D.1198] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Rowan cottage club and day centre, Dorchester 1913-1996
[D.1045] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester morning women's institute 2007 [W.161] Small
Sized Catalogued Collection
National Farmers' Union, Dorchester and Weymouth
branch 1946 - 1956 [D.1336] Small Sized Catalogued
Collection
Dorchester Masonic lodge no 417 faith and unanimity
1931 - c.1934 [D.1831] Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester and District Welsh Society 1958-1981 [D.1053]
Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Town Football Club [D.961] Medium Sized
Catalogued Collection
Rotary Club of Dorchester [D/ROD] Single Catalogued Item
Wessex press agency and Dorchester typewriting and
duplicating bureau archive 1949-1966 [D.1082] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester rifle volunteer corps archive 1860 – 1908
[D.264] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester debating and dramatic society archive 1920 –
1939 [D.349] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester community play 1989-1990 [D.1138] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Women's voluntary service, Dorchester rural district
section, archive 1926 – 1976 [D.444] Small Sized Catalogued
Collection
Dorchester Services Club [D.914] Medium Sized Catalogued
Collection
Dorchester town project 1986-1993 [D.1115]
Dorchester district scouts 1912-2000 [D/DDS] Single
Catalogued Item
Dorchester ladies group 1992-2001 [D.1909] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester centre women's institute 1924-1994 [W.109]
Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester afternoon women's institute 1981-1993 [W.141]
Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester deaf and hard of hearing club 1945-1993
[D.1241] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Photographs, posters and postcards:
Dorchester and Lulworth photographs, late 19th and 20th
cent [D.1468] Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Corn Exchange, Dorchester Photograph circa 1900 [Ph941]
Dorchester postcards circa.1900 [D.2191] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester- Dorset Photographic Archive [D/DPA/DOR] 602
photos
Maps/Plans/Leaflets:
Dorchester map 1810-1835 [D.1/OE]
Dorchester map [D.562]
Dorchester maps c.1832 [D.272]
Map of Dorchester 2001 [Ph954]
Miscellaneous:
Dorchester Deeds, [D.686] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester bill heads, [D.1035] 1961-1972 Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester theatre 1972-1992 [D.1210] Medium Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester sale particulars 1920 [D.1688] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Damers hospital, Dorchester 1938-1966 [NG/HH/DO(D)]
Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Frome Whitfield and Dorchester [D.633] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Riverside Walk, Dorchester [D.620] Small Sized Catalogued
Collection
Dorchester railway station 1921 - 1931 [D.1627] Large
Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester post office 1908 – 1927 [D.1636] Medium Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester town centre re-development archive 1995 –
1998 [D.1601] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester deeds 1895 [D.456] Small Sized Catalogued
Collection
Dorchester deeds 1612 - 1852 [D/DOR] Large Sized
Catalogued Collection
Southampton and Dorchester Railway [D.611] Large Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester and Fordington village greens archive 1877 1973 [D.489] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Fire Brigade [D.912] Medium Sized Catalogued
Collection
Middle farm, Dorchester 1932-1945 [D.1200] Medium Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester deed [D.8] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester deeds 1831 [D.25] Large Sized Catalogued
Collection
Press-cuttings of Dorchester and Charminster Area [D.677]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Division Excise Letter Book [D.833] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester deeds 1908 [D.1023] Small Sized Catalogued
Collection
Dorchester diary 1940 [D.1085] Small Sized Catalogued
Collection
'Cowleaze', Dorchester road, Stratton 1971-2004 [D.2001]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
The old house at home, Dorchester, archive 1753 - 1881
[D.343] Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester Grave Purchase [D.708] Small Sized Catalogued
Collection
Dorchester apprentice indenture [D.76] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
17 South Street, Dorchester, deeds 1831 - 1927 [D.168]
Large Sized Catalogued Collection
Melcombe Regis and Dorchester [D.866] Medium Sized
Catalogued Collection
Dorchester and Weymouth Area Prescription Books 19031947 [D.561] Medium Sized Catalogued Collection
Prince of Wales road, Dorchester, plan 1884 [D.1280]
Harnham, Blandford and Dorchester turnpike trust 17591833 [D.221] Large Sized Catalogued Collection
7 Salisbury Terrace, Dorchester [D.981] Single Catalogued
Item
South street Dorchester deeds 1639-1901 [D.1022] Large
Sized Catalogued Collection
German prisoner of war camp, Dorchester 1919 [D.2063]
Small Sized Catalogued Collection
Dorchester south railway station 1918 [D.1423] Small Sized
Catalogued Collection
Library Catalogue- Principal Books and Printed Sources:
A selection of some of the books about Dorchester that we have
at the Dorset History Centre, come and see for yourself!
More history on your doorstep: people and places around
Dorchester, 2009 by Terry Hearing, Class No: 942.331
Dorchester and around through time, 2009 by Steve Wallis,
Class No: 942.331
Suburban Life in Roman Durnovaria: excavations at the
former County Hospital site Dorchester, Dorset 2000-2001
2008 by Mike Trevarthen, Class No: 936.233
Haunted Dorchester, 2008 by Julie Harwood, Class No:
133.109423
Dorchester Century, 2006 by Steve Wallis, Class No: 942.331
Poundbury: the town that Charles built, 2006 by Dennis
Hardy, Class No: 307.76
Dorchester versus Hitler: a country town goes to war,
2006 by Colin Churchill, Class No: 942.331
Dorchester town walks: A richly detailed exploration of
the historically fascinating town of Dorchester, 2005 by
Alistair Chisholm, Class No: 942.331
Not since Freddie were Mayor: Growing up between the
wars, 2004 by June Wood, Class No: 942.331
Marconi's Beam Wireless Station at Dorchester, 2004 by
Paul Hawkins, Class No: 621.384
Dorchester: A history and celebration of the town, 2004 by
Steve Wallis, Class No: 942.331
Excavations at Alington Avenue, Fordington, Dorchester,
Dorset 1984-87, 2002 by Susan M. Davies, Class No: 936.2331
Dorchester Past, 2001 by Jo Draper, Class No: 942.331
Francis Frith's Around Dorchester, 2001 by Christine Mcgee,
Class No: 942.331
The Roman town house at Dorchester, 2000 by Bill Putnam,
Class No: 728.809362
Dorchester Sherborne Town and Country Walks, 1998 by
Ray Thorne, Class No: 942.331
Pocket Dorchester, 1997 by Chris Shaw, Class No: 942.331