Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
Responsible for book sales

The Somerset & Dorset Family History Society was set up in 1975, and has about 1,500 members registered world-wide. It is a registered charity (No. 1010351) and is affiliated to the Federation of Family History Societies.

The Society publishes a quarterly journal entitled "The Greenwood Tree", in which members can submit queries for publication to reach the whole membership. Groups run monthly meetings in various parts of the two counties, with talks on family history and related subjects, and occasional visits to places of interest. The Society has a large research centre in Yeovil in Somerset which houses an extensive library and research resources including internet access. Volunteers are on hand during opening hours to assist researchers as needed. Limited research can be carried out on behalf of members for a small fee.

The Society has produced a number of publications including census indexes for Somerset and Dorset for 1841, 1851 and 1891. A limited series of Parish Register transcripts is also available, with much more extensive transcriptions available in the Research Centre. Somerset and Dorset indexes are maintained for marriages, burials and monumental inscriptions, as well as baptisms for Somerset. A collection of pedigrees is also indexed, and requests for searches in all these indexes may be submitted by post.

A Bookshop is well stocked with local and family history books, as well as Society publications.