01935 429609
Somerset & Dorset
Family History Society

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.

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.

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

Join us

on Social Media

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The Somerset and Bath Pauper Lunatic Asylum at Wells was surrounded by farmland which produced much of the food eaten by staff and patients.The sick had an extra diet and the general population were fed upon vegetables grown on the asylum site, fruit likewise, bread was made at the in-house bakery and butter, cheese, cream and milk were supplied and made by the asylum farm and meat was also mostly provided by the attached farm.Vegetables grown by the patients were:PotatoesParsnipsCarrotsTurnipsOnionsCabbageBroccoliPeasBroad BeansKidney BeansFrench BeansCauliflowerArtichokesLeeksMangoldsSwedesCeleryHerbs were grown and used when in season.Occupation on the farm was “left to the choice of patients themselves who as a rule follow their trade.As coming from an agricultural county, a large number have been employed as field labourers and have been usefully employed on the farm and in the garden.” (1870 Annual Report.”)“The importance and great remedial value of occupation in the successful treatment of insanity cannot be too often insisted upon.” Dr Carter Madden-Medlicott 1873A pauper diet was a poor one when in general society due to cost and availability and good food and nutrition played an important role in the recovery and improvements of patients who were admitted to the asylum. Dr Madden-Medlicott often commented that a good and nutritious diet “relieves temporary bodily suffering or ameliorating existing physical conditions too often conducive to further bodily degeneration”The food was fresh and organic, the vegetables grew to a great size most probably enhanced by output from the asylum sewage farm.Wells Journal October 1866;“At the Wells and Central Somerset Agricultural Association, there was exhibited a splendid specimen of a cow cabbage grown at the asylum which, stripped of its outward leaves and stem weighed 32lbs”Thank you to everyone who has contributed in support of this place. Your donations are much appreciated and valued helping us to preserve the past, present and future of this unique site.www.gofundme.com/f/the-friends-of-mendip-hospital-cemetery Photograph :Patient George Durston attending the cabbages c1896. George was a market gardener from Weston super Mare, returning to his home and occupation when discharged ‘cured’ from the asylum after a relatively short stay.Credit: South West Heritage Trust. ... See MoreSee Less
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he Tribunal, located in Glastonbury, Somerset, England, holds a fascinating history as it was originally constructed in the 1400s as a merchant's house. Its historical significance is underscored by its designation as a Grade I listed building.While comprehensive documentation of the building's past is scarce, it is believed that the majority of the existing stone structure was erected in the 15th century on the grounds of a previous 12th-century wooden building.Over time, the front wall, crafted from medieval stonework, was added to enhance the structure's aesthetics and functionality. Throughout its existence, The Tribunal has served various purposes, including as a merchant's house, a shop, a school, and even a convent.On the ground floor, visitors can still find a room adorned with window and ceiling panels dating back to the Elizabethan era, transporting them to a bygone time. Meanwhile, the front room upstairs boasts an exquisite arched braced, wooden, truss roof, showcasing the fine craftsmanship of its era.The address is: 13 High St, Glastonbury BA6 9DP. - go check it out!Cool history here too about some other unique buildings.Another fascinating historic building ruralhistoria.com/2023/04/03/pest-houses/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Wow! This was an amazing event last year, can’t wait for this one!📢 Announcing “All About That Place” - the One-Place Study Challenge Event happening from September 27th to October 6th, 2024!Join us for this FREE event that promises to revolutionize the genealogy world! Explore the places your ancestors lived right from the comfort of your own home. Who knows, you might even kickstart your own One Place Study!🔍 Hosted by the Society of Genealogists, the Society for One-Place Studies, Genealogy Stories, and the British Association For Local History - BALH, this event is a unique collaboration.Get ready for a pop-up Facebook Group and our YouTube channel packed with FREE online talks from various speakers. But wait, there's more! This event is all about participation. Dive into local history with challenge instructions designed to get you exploring. Download your FREE challenge workbook to track your progress and learning activities.And that’s not all! Celebrate your journey with the chance to win amazing prizes in our prize draw, including a 1-year membership to the Society of Genealogists or the Curious Descendants Club!Subscribe to get all the details on how to join this FREE event, and stay up to date with All About That Place announcements:https://www.subscribepage.com/allaboutthatplace. Mark your calendars and join us for “All About That Place”! #OnePlaceStudy #Genealogy #LocalHistory 🏠🔍 ... See MoreSee Less
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🚨happening in Street tomorrow!🥳Join us at the Grange in Street from 11am tomorrow as we discover some of the incredible women from our collection for International Women's Day. We will be joined our dear friends A Few Forgotten Women who will be showcasing their incredible research projects, including highlights from their research into the Grange when it was a school of housewifery - all of this amazing content is free! 🤩 From 1pm the incredible Janet Braund Few will be on site for her talk 'Forgotten Women - researching the marginalised women of your family tree' - online ticket sales have now closed but there will be a handful of tickets available to buy on the door 🎫🎟 #IWD2024 #IWD #ShoemakersMuseum alfredgilletttrust.org/whats-on/ ... See MoreSee Less
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This International Women’s Day, join us as we highlight some of the incredible women whose stories may have been lost in time. The Grange will be open from 11am until 3.30pm and hosting our friends over @AFewForgottenWomen as they showcase one of their research projects into the School of Housewifery at the Grange.We are also thrilled that we will be joined by historian extraordinaire @JanetBraundFew at 1pm who will be delivering her popular talk ‘Forgotten Women: Researching the Marginalised Women on your Family Tree’ with some tickets still available - book online or on the door with signed copies of her new book on sale.UPDATE: Tier 1 tickets to the talk are sold out but there are a few tier 2 and 3 still available. A handful of tickets will also be available on the day on a first come first served basis!Tickets are availablealfredgilletttrust.org/whats-on/ ... See MoreSee Less
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