Dorset Archives and Libraries

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Archives and Libraries

Archives

Dorset History Centre
Bridport Rd
Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1RP UK

Telephone: 1305 250550
Email: archives@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Website
Collections
Historic parish registers and records

Dorset History Centre holds parish registers for 300 different parishes around Dorset. The registers contain records of baptisms, marriages and burials around the county. To check we have the registers for the parish you are interested in please search our catalogue or view our full list of parish registers. Our guide to parish registers gives more details on how to use parish registers and is designed to help you make the most of the archives held at the History Centre.

Additional records include family and estate archives, newspapers, audio and oral history, business records, court, prison, police records, electoral registers, maps, school records, and wills among others.

The Dorset History Centre brings together two services – the Dorset Record Office and Dorset County Local Studies Library. The centre is the archives service and local studies library for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.

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Poole History Centre
Poole Museum Service
4 High Street
Poole, Dorset, BH15 1BW, UK
Telephone: 01202 128 888
Email: localhistory@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Website
Poole History Online

The History Centre is part of Poole Museum and is a rich resource centre about Poole's heritage. It has resources for all aspects of local history research in an extensive library supported by microfilmed and digitized material.

Resources:

• Maps and charts - Historic maps show the growth of the town from the sixteenth century up to the 1960s.
• Newspapers - Over 200 years of newspaper coverage and press cuttings from the past 50 years.
• Photographs - Thousands of photographs show how the area has changed over the past century.
• Oral histories - Listen to personal accounts of the D-Day landings, stories of home life, ice-cream making and fishing.
• Books - Subjects cover the local history of Poole and genealogical research.

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Christchurch is the most easterly coastal town of the administrative county of Dorset, and it lies within the historic county of Hampshire. Some records are in the Hampshire Archives.
Hampshire Archives and Local Studies
Sussex Street
Winchester
SO23 8TH, UK

Website
Christchurch parish registers listed in catalogue

Libraries

• Information about all libraries in Dorset County Council area including opening times, location, accessibility and contact details.
• Information about all libraries in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole including opening times, location, accessibility and contact details.

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Dorchester Library
Charles St<brDorchester, Dorset DT1 1EF UK
Telephone: 1305 224440
Email: dorchesterlibrary@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Website

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Poole Central Library
Kingland Rd
Poole, Dorset BH15 1QE UK
Telephone: 01202 262421
Email: libraries@poole.gov.uk
Website

Museums

Gold Hill Museum

Gold Hill Museum
Gold Hill
Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8JW UK
Telephone: 1747 852157
Email: enquiries@goldhillmuseum.org.uk
Website: Gold Hill Museum

Eight galleries tell the story of rural and town life, starting even before Shaftesbury’s notional foundation by Alfred the Great. Highlights of the collection include the unique Byzant, carried during annual celebrations of the securing of the water supply, so vital to a hilltop town; Dorset’s oldest fire engine, dating from 1744; fine lacework and costumes; handmade Dorset buttons; and a mummified Dorset cat.

The Keep Military Museum

The Keep Military Museum
Barrack Road
Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1RN UK
Telephone: 01305 264066
Email: info@keepmilitarymuseum.org
Website: The Keep Military Museum

Archive for The Devonshire Regiment, The Dorset Regiment, The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, The Dorset Yeomanry, The Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, The Dorset Militia, The Royal Devon Yeomanry and 94 Field Regiment RA.

Priest's House Museum

Priest's House Museum
23-27 High St
Wimborne, Dorset BH21 1HR UK
Telephone: 1202 882533
Email: museum@priest-house.co.uk
Website: Priest's House Museum

The Priest's House Museum & Garden is located in the heart of the beautiful market town of Wimborne Minster.

Using collections rich in archaeology and costume, and childhood and local history material, the museum tells the story of East Dorset. Period rooms, from a 17th century hall to the working Victorian kitchen, show how life and work has changed in this historic townhouse. There are 10 galleries to explore. Displays include audio descriptions and children's activities. A beautiful walled garden, gift shop and tearoom complete any visit.

The museum works closely with the local community. They participate in the museum through volunteering, learning and family activity programmes, exhibitions, community projects and reminiscence workshops.

For a long list of Dorset museums, go to List of museums in Dorset in Wikipedia.