Transportation records in the Borough of Poole Archive provide a fascinating insight into the fate of 18th century convicts, including one of the very first Europeans sent to Australia. Most people know the story of Dorset’s most famous transportees, the Tolpuddle Martyrs sent to Australia in 1834 for setting up a Friendly Society. Now,… Read more Journeys to new worlds: transportation in 18th century
Licensing records in the Poole Borough Archive give an insight into the history of entertainment and leisure in Poole. Newly catalogued licensing documents in the Poole Borough are an excellent source for pub history and provide an insight into what kept Poole’s population entertained over the last few hundred years. Historic Poole pubs Lists of… Read more Pubs and Players
Explore the Treves Trail – a walking trail in Dorchester which gradually reveals information about the life of Sir Frederick Treves. 175 years of rural healthcare DCH175 has been a Heritage Lottery Funded project to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the founding of Dorset’s county hospital. Such a significant institution touches many lives, and its history… Read more Trailing Treves
Recently catalogued documents from the Poole Borough collection reveal historic attitudes to public punishment. The Tudor period was a bad time to be a criminal! Death sentences could be handed out for everything from murder to theft and even begging. In an era when public executions were common, and even seen as a form of entertainment, punishments… Read more Poole’s Pillory
During World War One it took only two days for a letter to reach the front. By the war’s end, two billion letters and 114 million parcels had been sent and received by Britain. A few of these have been deposited in the archives and offer a personal perspective on the war. Gifts from home… Read more In their own words: letters from World War 1
Staff at Dorset History Centre have added the 300,000th entry to the archive catalogue and take the opportunity to shine a light on previously catalogued pieces of history. The archives described within the catalogue are diverse and include original manuscript and printed documents, audio-visual material, photographs, drawings, maps and plans, and, increasingly, digital records. This… Read more 300,000 records of Dorset’s past available to search online
Oral history interviews have captured the memories of real people who lived through the First World War, giving us a real insight into life at home and in service. Living with the enemy Dorset History Centre has recently collected an oral history interview from Miss Pat Grove of East Lulworth. Pat shared her memories of the… Read more In their own words: reminiscence from World War 1
Women played an important role in Dorset during the First World War. Dorset History Centre holds an information booklet issued by the War Office to local officials in September 1916. It aimed to demonstrate that women had successfully taken on jobs formerly occupied by men, and thus encourage the release of additional male workers into the… Read more Women in the war
One of the most unexpected items within Dorset History Centre’s collections is a small black and white poster dating from 1796. It advertises a fencing match in Southampton by a woman; Mademoiselle Charlotte Genevieve Louis D’Eon, also known as the Chevalier D’Eon. A life less ordinary By current classification, Mademoiselle D’Eon would likely be considered… Read more Gender Recognition – at the Point of a Sword
Records in the Borough of Poole archive reveal details of the first policemen to be employed in the town, including their uniforms, expected conduct and rewards. A paid police force Organised crime prevention has existed for centuries, beginning with the early night watchmen and parish constables appointed by Justices of the Peace and other town… Read more Law and order in Poole
Recent Comments