Gertrude Ethel Sharp, the youngest of seven children, was born in 1890. In her early 20s, she studied Applied Art at the Royal College of Art in London, there meeting, and marrying in 1915, John Adams, a potter, designer and technical ceramicist from a famous Staffordshire family. After their marriage, Truda and John moved to… Read more The Mystery of Truda Carter
In modern life, we’re aware of the prevalent use of photo manipulation – in film and TV, advertising, and even on social media through filters. We know not to take photos at face value and can even spots the signs of tweaking. Now consider the clear skinned, slim-waisted subjects of Victorian and Edwardian photographs –… Read more Photoshopping the Past
Arne has always been a small village parish, recorded in 1894 to comprise of 2,668 acres plus 2,209 acres of water and foreshore. By 1932 little of the area had been developed as stated in the Poole and Dorset Herald article: ‘its principal features have remained untouched for centuries and have suffered none but geological… Read more From Wartime Decoy to Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
As the Winter Olympics continues with scenes of snowy mountains and icy racetracks, we are looking back at two of the biggest snowfalls in Dorset in the 20th century. A white Christmas in 1962 was the start of a prolonged period of heavy snow across Dorset, blocking roads and cutting off villages. The freeze continued… Read more In Search of Snow…
There are many fields in Dorset that have strange names, but whilst looking at the Halstock Tithe Map we spotted one that was particularly unusual, ‘30th January’. The apportionment transcript also includes fields, farms and coppices with names like ‘Lay Preacher’, ‘Constitution’ and ‘Machiaval’. We were intrigued and decided to investigate further… — A good… Read more A Field Called 30th January
At Dorset History Centre, we are keen to encourage guest blogs from our readers detailing the research and work they are undertaking. Michael Pitfield has written us this second post (you can read the first here if you missed it) explaining where fifty years of genealogical research have led him… — For some 50 years,… Read more The Pitfield Family of Fordington
In the collections, a slightly faded hand written menu in red and black ink on a flimsy piece of paper hints at celebrations over 100 years ago. For food historians and those looking for ideas for a simpler Christmas dinner this document hints at how important the first Christmas after the armistice was signed must… Read more Christmas Dinner fit for a Sergeant!
For many, the Christmas period is a time of sadness as we reflect on people we have lost. For some, it was a time of removal, from one institution to another… Eliza Burbridge was admitted to Banstead Asylum 03 January 1882, on 21 December 1883 she was handed to the Relieving Officer of the Wimborne… Read more Eliza Burbridge and Herrison Hospital
Although Christmas Day is the usual alternative name for 25 December it should not be forgotten that 25 December is also one of the traditional quarter days on which rents fell due. In December 1942, a letter was sent to Mrs R. Forward about rent due on her property in Wimborne. The address on the… Read more Christmas Rents
In the collections at Dorset History Centre, we hold an album of Christmas greetings cards, which are copies of drawings by Leonard Patten and E. L. Grassby. The album shows a selection of Christmas cards from the Society of Dorset Men. Records exist which indicate that as far back as the 17th century there were… Read more Collections of Christmas Cards
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