BRIDPORT MUSEUM
The Coach House
Gundry Lane, Bridport
Dorset, DT6 3RJ
UNITED KINGDOM
01308 458703
Entry to the centre is free and volunteers or staff are always available to assist you in your research. A small charge is made for the use of computers, film readers and photocopying. As a registered charity donations are always welcome to support the service.
Computers are available for internet research and we subscribe to the ancestry.co.uk website with its many UK and American databases including all published UK census records. Microfilm and microfiche readers are also available and it is advisable to phone in advance to reserve a computer or reader.
If you are unable to visit the centre we can undertake research on your behalf from our resources....
Telephone 01308 458703 or click here to download the form.
Materials held for local research include
Ordnance survey maps from 1880
Tithe maps, with apportionments, for many local parishes
Many other maps and plans
Trade Directories — Kellys, Pigots and Hunts 1792 -
Reference library of books on the history of Dorset (including Hutchins, Coker and Pouncey), Bridport and the local villages, local history topics and guides to family history research
Journals include ‘The Greenwood Tree’ (Somerset & Dorset Family History Society), ‘Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, ‘Notes and Queries of Somerset and Dorset’, and the Bridport History Society publications
Large collection of research, articles, newspaper cuttings etc on all aspects of the history of Bridport ,West Bay, local villages, trades, and organisations.
Photograph collection — copies of the museum’s extensive archive are available to view. Copies can be ordered (depending on copyright)
Materials held for family research include
Parish Registers on microfilm and in transcription for:-
Allington, Askerswell, Beaminster, Bettiscombe, Bothenhampton, Bradpole, Bridport Broadwindsor, Burstock, Burton Bradstock, Charmouth, Chedington, Chideock, Chilcombe, Compton Valence, Hook, Little Bredy, Litton Cheney, Loders, Long Bredy, Lyme Regis, Mapperton, Marshwood, Monkton Wyld, Mosterton, Netherbury, North Poorton, Pilsdon, Powerstock, Puncknowle, Salway Ash, Seaborough, Shipton Gorge, South Perrott, Stanton St Gabriel, Stoke Abbot, Swyre, Symondsbury, Thorncombe, Toller Fratrum, Toller Pocorum, Walditch, Wootton Fitzpaine and Wynford Eagle.
Access to all UK Census Returns 1841 to 1901
1881 Census for England and Wales on microfiche
GRO indexes for Births and Marriages 1890 to 1945 on microfiche
Churchwardens Rate books records for Allington, Bothenhampton and Bridport on microfilm
Monumental Inscription transcriptions for many of the local churchyards, Bridport Cemetery Records and the National Burial Index on CD
Transcripts of nominal rolls including Tudor Muster Rolls, Protestation Returns, Hearth Tax, Yeomanry etc
Box files of collected articles and donated research on many local surnames