Behind the scenes

Explore Epexio: DHC’s new online catalogue!

Our new online catalogue launched last week. This is the place where you can find descriptions of over 360,000 items in our collections.   We have been working with the team behind Epexio Discover to deliver a modern archival discovery platform which makes it easier for you to find what you are looking for within Dorset’s archives.   More dynamic searching…  The new catalogue offers a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. You… Read more Explore Epexio: DHC’s new online catalogue!

Cyber Trees and Virtual Woods: Looking after your digital records

Whilst many people have used the past few months to sort out their physical belongings, it is easy to forget that our digital estate also needs managing. So, we’re sharing some practical tips to help manage your own digital information. This can be anything from research notes and family photos to emails and financial spreadsheets.     Why?   Digital information is more fragile than paper stored in… Read more Cyber Trees and Virtual Woods: Looking after your digital records

The Challenges of Reopening Dorset History Centre

On Tuesday 7th July Dorset History Centre reopened in a limited capacity following the Covid-19 lockdown. In this blog, we wanted to explain a bit more about how we reopened, our concerns and processes, some of the lessons learned from the first month of reopening; as well as examine how the service might look in… Read more The Challenges of Reopening Dorset History Centre

My Favourite Record – Collections Assistant Clare

Today, we have chatted with Clare, our Collections Assistant in Digital Preservation, who lets us know about how she has been working remotely and her favourite document from our collections…  — During lockdown I had the chance to work remotely with our digital archive, taking the opportunity to tidy up digital files behind the scenes, ensuring that… Read more My Favourite Record – Collections Assistant Clare

Mapping the County: The Thornford Estate

Thanks to the Dorset Archives Trust Document Purchase Fund the Dorset History Centre recently purchased a beautiful 1802 manuscript map of an estate in Thornford.  Thornford is in the north west corner of Dorset near Sherborne.  It was prepared for George Tilly Gollop and surveyed by John Davioge of Ansford (probably near Castle Cary) in 1802.   George Tilly Gollop was a Dorset landowner who actually lived in Netherbury but, in common with most 18th and 19th century landowners, held lands… Read more Mapping the County: The Thornford Estate

Collection Spotlight: Civil Defence records

Amongst the Dorset Council records is a small section of Civil Defence records, Ref: DCC-CD, dating primarily from the Second World War. Following the first World War it was acknowledged that any future conflicts would involve aerial attacks and a committee was set up to establish what could be done to protect the public from… Read more Collection Spotlight: Civil Defence records

Collection Spotlight: The Baskett Family Collection

The Baskett Family collection, D-719, is spread over three boxes, two containing documents and one full of photographs. The documents were clearly collected by someone who was interested in history and many of them contain notes about family history and pedigrees of families related to the Basketts. When you find an entry for the pedigree… Read more Collection Spotlight: The Baskett Family Collection

Archives A-Z: L is for Local Studies Library

Whilst Dorset History Centre is primarily known for its archive of historical documents, we also hold the Local Studies library, packed with books on places, people and subjects relating to Dorset as well as titles by the local authors, such as Thomas Hardy, William Barnes and the Powys family. We even have some sheet music!… Read more Archives A-Z: L is for Local Studies Library