News

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!

Bridging the Digital Gap Traineeship

 We are excited to offer a paid traineeship in digital archives as part of the Bridging the Digital Gap programme run by The National Archives and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Bridging the Digital Gap aims to increase digital skills in archives by bringing new talent into the sector to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.  … Read more Bridging the Digital Gap Traineeship

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

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

LGBTQ+ Histories Now Available!

“When I could finally come out to my parents – that was when I felt liberated, and that I could live openly” In February, we told you about twenty-five oral history recordings we had developed, in partnership with LGBTQ+ volunteers. These recordings involve Dorset residents talking about their experiences around coming out, their views on… Read more LGBTQ+ Histories Now Available!

Black Voices Matter

In recent weeks the Black Lives Matter movement has shone a spotlight on the importance of making sure that history reflects the lives of all people and we have found stories of black people in the records from our archive that may surprise you.  It is easy to think that in a predominantly white rural county such as Dorset there are few stories to discover, but we were able to… Read more Black Voices Matter

Mental Health Awareness Week 2020

As Mental Health Awareness Week rolls round again, our Community Engagment Officer, Maria wanted to share a few experiences, reflections and plans from Dorset History Centre.  As you may be aware, DHC cares for the records of Herrison Hospital, formerly the County Asylum. These records have been fully catalogued over the course of the last year, thanks… Read more Mental Health Awareness Week 2020