Dorset Archives and Libraries

Archives
Dorset History Centre Bridport Rd Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1RP UK Telephone: 1305 250550 Email: [mailto:archives@dorsetcc.gov.uk 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.

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.

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

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

Gold Hill Museum
Gold Hill Museum Gold Hill Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8JW UK Telephone: 1747 852157 Email: [mailto:enquiries@goldhillmuseum.org.uk 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@undefined 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: [mailto:museum@priest-house.co.uk 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.