01935 429609
Somerset & Dorset
Family History Society
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Welcome to the SDFHS

How can we help you? We will help you to find documented facts about the lives of your former family members which will unlock doors to your own personal family story. Although we do specialise in Somerset and Dorset and have extensive records from our two counties, our experienced Research Volunteers have skills which can help you trace your family roots, regardless of where they might have originated.

SDFHS Family History Centre

Broadway House Family History Centre, our home in Yeovil, is an ideal location in the centre of the town.

Christmas/New Year closure

Our Family History Centre will close for the Christmas/New Year holidays at 4pm on Thursday 21 December 2023 and will reopen at 10am on Thursday 4 January 2024.

Centre Information

Online Talks

Online talks are being hosted by some of our local Groups, giving us the opportunity to engage with our members and the family history community worldwide.

Online Talks

Visit Our Shop

Are you looking for family history publications? Why not try looking in our on-line shop. We have a wide range of books and CDs relating to both Somerset and Dorset, as well as more general family-history and local-history publications.

AGM and Open Day

SDFHS AGM 2024Download

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Latest Blog Posts

The Greenwood Tree – September 2024

The theme of the September issue of The Greenwood Tree is My Favourite Ancestor. EditorPaul Radford previews the edition which will be mailed to members at the end of August and which SDFHS members can already view or download from…..

The Greenwood Tree – June 2024

The theme of the June issue of The Greenwood Tree is Out-of-Counties. Editor Paul Radford previews the edition which will be mailed to members at the end of May and which SDFHS members can already view or download from the…..

The Greenwood Tree – March 2024

The theme of the March issue of The Greenwood Tree is Trades and Professions. Editor Paul Radford previews the edition which will be mailed to members at the end of February and which SDFHS members can already view or download…..

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Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

October 20th, 10:35 am

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
FindMyPast is offering free access to various record sets during the weekends leading up to Remembrance Sunday. The 1921 census is likely to be a big draw! This article tells you what’s available and when: www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/news/findmypast-free-records-access-remembrance-day-2024 ... See MoreSee Less

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Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

September 28th, 12:36 pm

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
We’re part-way through Day 2 of All About That Place! Today’s theme is Health & Medicine - just look at all these inspiring talks! Join the All About That Place Facebook group to watch the talks, enter competitions, keep up with the latest news, & chat to the speakers! #AATP24 ... See MoreSee Less

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Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

September 26th, 5:20 pm

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
All About That Place starts tomorrow! It’s a free online 10-day event organised by The Society of Genealogists, the Society for One Place Studies, British Association for Local History and Genealogy Stories: “Running over 10 days from Friday 27 September to Sunday 6th October, All About That Place is packed with 140 recorded 10-minute talks on genealogy and local history. You'll learn research techniques, social history, tools, websites, archives, record keeping tips, ways of creating and sharing your findings... and much, much more!”You can view the itinerary, read about the speakers, sign up for updates and download a workbook and printable tick-lists of talks adjusted for various time-zones here: www.sog.org.uk/all-about-that-place-2024/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

September 22nd, 9:36 am

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

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Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

September 18th, 9:29 am

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
Major Charles Davis, a key figure in the discovery of the Roman remains in Bath, was the city’s surveyor and architect.In 1878, he was worried by a leak in the King’s Bath and decided to explore the area, where he made his first discovery - Roman tiles, lead and pottery. Over the next few years, most of the Great Bath had been revealed, read more 👇www.exploringgb.co.uk/blog/romanbathsuk?rq=roman%20baths ... See MoreSee Less

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Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

September 17th, 8:21 pm

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
This free, online event starts on Friday 27 September. There’s a different theme each day & are over 140 bite-size talks! The talks are pre-recorded so if you can’t watch live, you can catch up later ... See MoreSee Less

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Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

September 8th, 7:38 pm

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
What a fascinating theme for a tour! ... See MoreSee Less
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Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

September 7th, 3:10 pm

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
*VISIT*The Historic Buildings Committee of SANHS invite you to visit:Dawes Twine Works and Sutton Bingham and East Coker churches on Saturday 14th September. An opportunity to visit to the restored twine works to include demonstration of the twine-making machinery. Dawes Twine Works is a unique Victorian survivor; it has recently been extensively restored and a Shanks I.C engine installed to facilitate demonstrations. The Cokers were at one time renowned for the quality of their sailcloth which was once provided to the Navy.For those with interest in natural history, the reservoir and adjacent meadow is a haven for wildlife. There is a walk along the west bank of the reservoir (not part of formal visit).Sutton Bingham church is a very simple church dating just after 1111. It contains several interesting wall paintings thought to date from about 1300, most of which were uncovered in the 1860s by followers of the Oxford Movement.There is a cost of £10 for the Twine Works visit and we also suggest a donation of £5 or more. To book please email [email protected] or call 01935 862875. ... See MoreSee Less

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Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

September 7th, 1:38 pm

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
SOMERSET'S MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE 19TH CENTURYJames Spencer will be giving an illustrated introduction to the organisation, uniforms and service of Somerset's Militia, Volunteer and Yeomanry units, c.1800 - c.1900. Tuesday 24 September 2024 at 7.30pm, at the Wyndham Hall in Taunton. Refreshments will be available.Please book with SANHS by 19 September via email [email protected] or ring 01823 272429We kindly suggest a donation of £5 towards this event. ... See MoreSee Less

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