Dorset History Centre blog – Page 57 – News, events and projects from Dorset's archives and local studies

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300,000 records of Dorset’s past available to search online

March 14, 2017Digital Team No Comments

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

In their own words: reminiscence from World War 1

March 12, 2017Digital Team No Comments

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 in the war

March 8, 2017Digital Team No Comments

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

Gender Recognition – at the Point of a Sword

February 22, 2017Digital Team No Comments

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

Law and order in Poole

February 21, 2017Digital Team 3 Comments

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

On the other side of the desk

February 3, 2017Digital Team No Comments

Amy Ridgway shares her experience of working at Dorset History Centre during a placement for her history PhD. My usual use of Dorset History Centre (DHC) is as a researcher in the search room. As a history PhD student at the University of Exeter, I have been using documents from the Bankes Archive, namely account… Read more On the other side of the desk

A special shipment of Portland stone

January 30, 2017Digital Team No Comments

Our Archives Project Technician, Amber, continues her journey into the Herbert Photographic Collection. She discovers the surprisingly labour-intensive processes behind transporting Portland limestone off the island in the 1960s (reference: D-HBT/5275). Today, the process of moving, lifting and carrying quarried stone is a relatively simple affair: forklifts, conveyors and front end loaders make easy work… Read more A special shipment of Portland stone

Destruction and Creation

January 22, 2017Digital Team 2 Comments

Weymouth and its inhabitants suffered greatly during the war; its proximity to the naval base at Portland and its well-protected bay left it at the receiving end of several bombing raids. The worst affected area in the borough was Chapelhay, residing on the southern side of the harbour. Photographs taken after the war show the extent… Read more Destruction and Creation

A day in the life of a cataloguing archivist

January 17, 2017Digital Team No Comments

Our archivist working on the Poole Borough Archive sheds some light on her daily activities. A dual role I have two roles at Dorset History Centre – from Monday to Wednesday I am the Project Archivist responsible for sorting and cataloguing the Poole Borough Archive. This is quite a job as the collection includes over 1500… Read more A day in the life of a cataloguing archivist

Delightfully retro festive photography

December 16, 2016Digital Team No Comments

Amber, our newly appointed Archives Project Technician, recommences work digitising the fascinating Herbert Collection. She shares some specially selected snapshots of Dorset from times gone by. As one of Dorset History Centre’s newest additions to the team, I find myself with the fascinating privilege of delving through three decades of local Dorset history, as documented pictorially… Read more Delightfully retro festive photography