01935 429609
Somerset & Dorset
Family History Society
Join Now

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

Our Family History Centre in Yeovil is closed to members and other visitors due to the pandemic, but our Research Volunteers are working from home and our online bookshop is open for publication orders by post.

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
SDFHS Centre
Membership
Members Area
Groups
Events
Research
Projects
Shop

Latest Blog Posts

A Century in Chancery – the legal battle between two families.

In earlier times marriages were often business arrangements between families rather than the love matches we are used to today. Marriages were associated with ‘marriage portions’ (dowries), often involving land and other property. Such settlements could often be disputed if…..

Keeping Occupied – Your Tips

Thank you for all the helpful tips that have come my way following my recent request to find out how you have been keeping yourselves occupied – my what an industrious lot you are! Barry: Barbara’s Blog post reminded me…..

Lust and Litigation in 17th Century Dorset

Family history research can sometimes reveal the most fascinating and unexpected results. This happened to me recently when I was researching my FULFORD ancestors. I discovered details of a lawsuit that gave startling insight into a family member. Margaret JEWELL…..

Join us

on Social Media

Recent Facebook

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

February 20th, 10:21 am

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
We are now live at the Family History Show: thefamilyhistoryshow.com/virtual/. If you're attending, do check out our page and if you have any burning questions about ancestors in either Somerset or Dorset, you can video-chat with Rita or John. See you there! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

January 28th, 8:07 pm

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
Have you ever thought about doing a one-place study? The Society for One-Place Studies is giving away a copy of Janet Few’s book “Ten Steps to a One-Place Sudy” to the next 5 people who join!We are pleased to announce a giveaway aimed at helping some of our newer members, with five copies of Janet Few's "Ten Steps to a One-Place Study" up for grabs! If you have been thinking about joining us and starting a #OnePlaceStudy—now's the time! one-place-studies.org/join-us/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society

January 28th, 6:45 pm

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society
Free talk by Talk by The NationalArchives "Top Level Tips: Records of Railway Workers" www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/top-level-tips-records-of-railway-workers-tickets-131463656335 ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Recent Twitter

Retweet on TwitterSomerset+Dorset FHS Retweeted
MyHeritageMyHeritage@MyHeritage·
February 24th, 12:48 pm

Have you registered yet for @RootsTechConf? For the first time ever, the world’s largest genealogy event will be completely FREE and VIRTUAL! Register now to access the conference this week! http://ow.ly/OeBO50DIAWo

#RootsTech
#RootsTechConnect

Reply on Twitter 1364557799838081029Retweet on Twitter 136455779983808102910Like on Twitter 136455779983808102915Twitter 1364557799838081029
Retweet on TwitterSomerset+Dorset FHS Retweeted
sillymummyftAG Knapper@sillymummyft·
February 21st, 4:55 pm

My great-great-grandfather was a "Relieving Officer" - a precursor to modern day social services responsible for assessing the poor of the districts and their eligibility for assistance. #genealogy #familytree
https://sillymummyfamilytree.ca/johngriffin1860/

Reply on Twitter 1363532700557209604Retweet on Twitter 13635327005572096041Like on Twitter 13635327005572096044Twitter 1363532700557209604
Retweet on TwitterSomerset+Dorset FHS Retweeted
SDNQukSomerset & Dorset Notes & Queries@SDNQuk·
February 18th, 11:40 am

News of the current cardboard shortage makes me wonder whether it's time to start producing our own cardboard and paper again? Discover the history of paper mills & papermaking in Somerset & Dorset https://www.sdnq.org.uk/spotlight_on_sdnq/paper-mills-papermaking-in-dorset-somerset/

@MillsArchive @AIndustrialArch
http://bbc.in/2M5Ojdk

Reply on Twitter 1362366368515903491Retweet on Twitter 13623663685159034912Like on Twitter 13623663685159034913Twitter 1362366368515903491