Dorset Civil Registration

Dorset Wiki Topics

Beginning Research

Record Types

Dorset Background

Local Research Resources

England

Dorset

Civil Registration

The mandatory civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths in Dorset was introduced on 1 July 1837 and it was throughout England. The registration districts were organised based on poor law unions. Records are held in the Dorset Record Office.

Civil Registration Districts in Dorset

Beaminster - included Somerset parishes
- Misterton not transferred to Dorset
- Seaborough transferred to Dorset from 1895
Blandford
Bridport
Cerne
Dorchester
Poole
Shaftesbury
Sherborne - included Somerset parishes that were later transferred to Dorset
- Goathill transferred to Dorset in 1895
- Holwell transferred to Dorset in 1844
- Marston Magna not transferred to Dorset
- Poyntington transferred to Dorset in 1895
- Sandford Orcas transferred to Dorset in 1895
- Trent transferred to Dorset in 1895
Sturminster
Wareham
Weymouth
Wimborne

In 1837 some Dorset parishes were included in registration districts organised in neighbouring counties

Axminster - included Dorset parishes that were later transferred to Devon
- Axminster part of Dorset until 1844
- Chardstock part of Dorset until 1896
- Charmouth not transferred to Devon
- Dalwood part of Dorset until 1844
- Hawkchurch part of Dorset until 1896
- Lyme Regis not transferred to Devon
- Stockland part of Dorset until 1844
- Thorncombe transferred to Dorset in 1844
Chard - included Dorset parishes that were later transferred to Somerset
- Wambrook transferred to Somerset in 1895
Mere - included Dorset parishes
- Bourton
- Silton
Wincanton - included Dorset parishes
- Buckhorn Weston
- Kington Magna