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Family History

Making Baskets for Saddlers

Posted on 22nd February 2015

While researching items in Sherborne Museum for a forthcoming exhibition on basketmaking I came across a photograph, donated by a member of the Deacon family, who made baskets here in Sherborne and in the nearby village of Nether Compton over four generations The photograph says on the back 'Our Workshop and the baskets we are making for Saddlers' If you look closely at this photo, I am sure you will find this as exciting as I do because you can see that the photographer has clearly set up all... more

‘The Ridouts of Sherborne’ – writing up your family history

Posted on 10th February 2015

SDFHS member, Karen Francis, describes how she started investigating her Ridout ancestors and encourages other family historians to publish their research so that it can be preserved In March 2004, I decided to find out a bit about my maternal grandparents, Reg and Elsie Ridout I started off with what I knew: Reg had run a fish and chip shop at 38a Kingsmead Street in Bath; Elsie smelt of lavender and baked gorgeous chocolate cake Not exactly a lot to go on, but what do children ever... more

Preview of the February 2015 ‘Greenwood Tree’

Posted on 25th January 2015

Bob Barber previews the first edition of The Greenwood Tree in 2015 which will be reaching members shortly Remember, if you haven’t renewed your membership then you won’t receive your copy So don’t miss out, see: wwwsdfhsorg/ 2015 is an important milestone for our Society as it marks the 40th anniversary of its founding The Society was the brainchild of Mervyn Medlycott, who convened a meeting in the village hall at Sandford Orcas in June 1975, following an appeal in the spring to anyone... more

A Boxful of Family Treasures

Posted on 31st December 2014

Barbara Elsmore describes the contents of her own box of family treasures, each with its reminder of past owners, helping her to envisage the lives of her ancestors I had had no idea of the word 'mnemonic' although I have used mnemonics many times over the years - 'i before e except after c', '30 days hath September', 'one collar and two socks' to remember how to spell necessary - I am sure you can think of more that have helped you too as an aid to the memory I first became aware that this... more

William Rowland – iron founder of Sherborne.

Posted on 23rd November 2014

William Rowland, one of Sherborne's iron founders, whose name can still be seen on gratings around the town, featured in one of Graham Bendell's talks at our Industrial Archaeology Day on 22 November William Rowland was born in Bristol about 1840 By 1851 his family had moved to Salisbury where his father was in business as an engineer and iron founder employing three men William was working for his father in 1861 as an engineer An advertisement in The Western Gazette, dated 11th October 1867,... more

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