01935 429609
Somerset & Dorset
Family History Society

Events

Below is a list of upcoming SDFHS events.

Mapperton and the Montagues

Date: 14th March 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: Loders Village Hall
West Dorset Group

Our local speaker and FHS member, Sally Beadle will be talking about Mapperton House, where she volunteers. Come and hear about this beautiful manor house, home of the Earl and Countess of Sandwich.

All welcome, members £2, visitors £4.

Malcolm Angel “Isaac Gulliver”

Date: 16th March 2026
Time: 19:30
Location: The Hilda Coles Learning Centre off Crown Mead, Wimborne
East Dorset Group

Malcolm Angel “Isaac Gulliver”

The Tolpuddle Martyrs: We will, we will, we will be free

Date: 18th March 2026
Time: 19:30
Location: The Bow Room at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton
Blackmore Vale Group

The Georgian courtroom in Shire Hall was the scene of many famous and infamous trials, the most famous being that of the six agricultural labourers known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs. This talk looks at the background to their story, the punishment they endured and the changes these ordinary Dorset working men made to their local area and to society as a whole. 
Speaker: Anne Brown 

Short ABM, followed by ‘Weymouth Through The Paintings of John Upham by Liz Bartlett

Date: 20th March 2026
Time: 14:30
Location: St. Aldhelm's Church Centre, DT3 5EW
South Dorset Group

Short ABM, followed by ‘Weymouth Through The Paintings of John Upham by Liz Bartlett

Divorce, Bigamy and Breach of Promise

Date: 11th April 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: Loders Village Hall
West Dorset Group

Jane, Helen and Sue will be giving talks from their own research findings on the topics of divorce, bigamy and breach of promise. Scandalous stories which often found their way into the newspapers of the time.

All welcome, members £2, visitors £4.