Dorset Local History Books

Books about towns and villages in Dorset, and about the whole county

'Voices That be Gone' - Reconstructing the Victorian Parish of Castleton, Dorset 1834-1901 by Michael Hanson

Castleton's (now part of Sherborne) population in 1901 was a quarter of its 1831 peak, primarily due to the building of the Sherborne section of the London to Exeter railway. This book looks in detail at the residents during this period, and where possible analyses each of the censuses to identify where they came from, and where they moved to. Includes several photographs. 81 pages. Soft co...

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-1027

10,000 Fallen Remembered on Dorset War Memorials by Murial Monk

A bargain - big price reduction. The author and her husband Arthur travelled all over the County visiting 300 parishes. The result is this comprehensive record of names, ranks, place of death and conflict as available. A CD, with memorial pictures and additional data, is now included with this book. 147 pages. Soft covers...

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-407

A History of Long Street, Sherborne by Susan and Ray Penn

A historical overview of the street, followed by a brief description of each house. Some of the buildings have been selected for a more detailed attention. 138 pages. Soft covers....

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-990

Chaldon Herring - Writers in a Dorset Landscape by Judith Stinton

A history of the village with many names included, with an index. 208 pages. Soft covers....

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-79

Dorchester Century by Steve Wallis

Fascinating glimpses of old and new Dorchester highlighting the changing face of the town over a hundred years of the 20th century. Includes over 200 photographs. 144 pages. Hardback....

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-438

Dorset Quarter Sessions Order Book 1625-1638, edited by Terry Hearing and Sarah Bridges

Consists of 642 numbered folios plus some additional sheets. Because of the limited survival of such records, this book is the best source for the history of local government in Dorset. Published by the Dorset Record Society. 503 pages. Hardback....

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-437

Dorset's War Diary - Battle of Britain to D-Day by Rodney Legg

Tells the story on a daily basis, from the threat of German invasion during the hot summer of 1939, through radar research and the secret war, to the arrival of the US Army and the cross-channel sea and air armada on D-Day. 336 pages. Hardback....

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-91

Purbeck Century by Rodney Legg

The author on a unique ramble through his beloved Purbeck. History, geography and anecdote combine to examine the magic and mystery of the villages. 160 pages. Hardback....

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-114

The Building Accounts of Mapperton Rectory 1699-1703, edited by R Machin

Provides detailed information on building practices and costs at a crucially important period, which saw on of the greatest pre-nineteenth century building booms in England. Published by the Dorset Record Society. 37 pages. Soft covers....

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-434

The Casebook of Sir Francis Ashley JP, Recorder of Dorchester 1614-35, edited by J H Bettey

Sir Frances Ashley was the Recorder of Dorchester, and the book is a calendar of the examinations, information, affidavits and cases heard before him. Includes an index of names. Published by the Dorset Record Society. 133 pages. Soft covers....

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-433

The Known History of the Shops in Cheap Street Sherborne by Alec Oxford

A methodical journey down the street, recording who or what is there today, then revealing some of the...

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-130

The Life and Family of Beatrix Walcot 1575-1658 by Cynthia Walcot

Beatrice was born in Shropshire, settled to live in Sherborne Castle, Dorset, and lived through a dramatic siege during the Civil War. She died in 1758, aged 84, and is buried in Sherborne Abbey. The book is the story of Beatrice's life and family. 93 pages. Soft covers....

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-1024

The Love Poems and Letters of William Barnes and Julia Miles, edited by Charlotte H Lindgren

The letters etc were all written in the 1820s. Published by the Dorset Record Society. 99 pages. Soft covers...

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-430

The Place of the Rural Blacksmith in Parish Life 1500-1900 by Marcia Evans

The village forge was often a focus of local activity and here we have accounts of some of the families whose skills were passed on for generations. Includes trade directories, census & militia list details. 122 pages. Soft covers....

Supplied by: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Product Ref: SAD-133