April 2020

Royal Weymouth Volume 2 – Devonshire and Dialect

‘Royal Weymouth’ is a four-volume book that we hold within our collection. Like ‘The Extra Illustrated Edition of Hutchins’, it has been put together by A.M. Broadley, but instead of grangerising one book, these volumes are based around several accounts of the Royal visits to Weymouth by King George III and his family. — Much… Read more Royal Weymouth Volume 2 – Devonshire and Dialect

How to find Dorset records on Ancestry…

The Ancestry website is usually available free of charge at Dorset History Centre and in Dorset Libraries. During the current situation, when these centres are closed, Dorset Libraries are offering free access to Ancestry to anyone with a Dorset Library card. Other library services often offer this, and you may wish to check for services… Read more How to find Dorset records on Ancestry…

Protecting the work of Dame Elisabeth Frink

When the Dame Elisabeth Frink archive arrived at the Dorset History Centre, it came with some unusual items.  Along with a number of bronzes are eight small groups of plaster maquettes, the largest of these measuring no more than 30cm high.  Maquettes are preparatory models that sculptors make to help them visualise the final piece… Read more Protecting the work of Dame Elisabeth Frink

Archival Types – Letters and Correspondence

 ‘…I have scrawled with my pencil a sort of view…’ D-BKL/H/J/1/1357 — In recent times, and particularly during this period, our means of communication has become largely ephemeral and digital; including text messaging, video and audio.  But for centuries it was not so.  Until the advent of the telephone in the latter part of the… Read more Archival Types – Letters and Correspondence

Bookbinding DIY – Piano hinge binding

Whilst the Coronavirus lockdown continues, we have asked our Conservator for some bookbinding activities you can try at home. This is the third of three blogs in which she will show you how to do some book-binding at home… — A part of my job that I always look forward to is running bookbinding sessions. … Read more Bookbinding DIY – Piano hinge binding

Bookbinding DIY – Single Section Pamphlet

Whilst the Coronavirus lockdown continues, we have asked our Conservator for some bookbinding activities you can try at home. This is the second of three blogs in which she will show you how to do some book-binding at home… — A part of my job that I always look forward to is running bookbinding sessions. … Read more Bookbinding DIY – Single Section Pamphlet

Bookbinding DIY – Japanese Stab-Stitch binding

Whilst the Coronavirus lockdown continues, we have asked our Conservator for some bookbinding activities you can try at home. This is the first of three blogs in which she will show you how to do some book-binding at home… — A part of my job that I always look forward to is running bookbinding sessions. … Read more Bookbinding DIY – Japanese Stab-Stitch binding