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The SDFHS Blog

Robert Goadby – founder of the ‘Western Flying Post’

Posted on 19th October 2016

When Patricia Goadby and her brother Michael arrived at the SDFHS Family History Centre one day to enquire about their illustrious ancestor, Robert Goadby, the founder of the Western Flying Post (now better known as the Western Gazette) we were about to shut up shop However, the timing turned out to be advantageous as we were able to get together with our fellow volunteers in Sherborne Museum, to do some background research, before inviting Patricia and Michael back to hear about what we had... more

Another box!

Posted on 2nd September 2016

As a postscript to The Whittle Box I find that I now cannot walk past any old wooden chests without checking to see if there is a name on the lid, and shortly after dispatching the Whittle box to Australia I came across a fabulous example of a 'Marshall Improved Air and Watertight Chest' with the name F Buckney on the lid This time, however, I was saved from further action by the firm addition of a 'SOLD' sign! Barbara Elsmore 2 September... more

The Whittle Box

Posted on 29th August 2016

The questions that kept popping into my head all began when I saw a green box with a name painted on it in an antique shop in Sherborne Who had owned the box Who had painted the name What was the script used and what did it say The script turns out to be 'Blackletter', identified for me by a friend who enjoys calligraphy, and the name - C T R Whittle Some rudimentary research led to one Charlie Thomas Whittle (b1877 in Yetminster) who went off to board at Kingston school in Yeovil around 1890... more

‘The Greenwood Tree’ – August 2016

Posted on 26th July 2016

The August issue of The Greenwood Tree will be delivered soon and serves as a reminder to book your place at the Society’s Open Day, which also includes the AGM, if you haven’t done so already Details of the event on 24 September, hosted by the Blackmore Vale group, can be found on page 93 During the Open Day, Sue Thornton-Grimes will talk on Assisted emigration from Dorset to Australia 1830-1860 and Trevor Bailey of Trilith, will provide a series of restored films, some of them more than... more

The Sherborne Pageant Project on our website

Posted on 18th July 2016

In the August edition of Who Do You Think You Are magazine respected writer, Alan Crosby, gave the SDFHS a real boost by featuring one of our current projects - The Sherborne Pageant of 1905 How did Alan know we are undertaking this project He read about it in the Projects' section of our website which he went on to recommend that his readers should explore as an example of 'a superb website' This is the direct link to the Sherborne Pageant Participants Project Just think before the days of... more

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