Frequently asked questions

Q: When are you open?

A: We are open Tuesday - Friday 9am - 5pm and every first and third Saturday of the month 9am - 4.30pm.

Q: Where are you located?

A: We are located on Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1RP.

Q: How can I contact you?

A: You can contact us by post at: Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1RP, United Kingdom, by e-mail at archives@dorsetcc.gov.uk or by telephone on (+44) 01305 250550.

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Q: Do I need to book a place to use the Dorset History Centre?

A: No, there is no need to make a reservation, although we do advise that you contact us before a visit to ensure that we have the records you need.

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Q: Do I need a ticket to use your facilities?

A: Yes, but it is free. We are part of the County Archives Research Network (CARN) and a CARN reader's ticket will be needed to look at original documents at the Dorset History Centre. You can use one issued by another record office or if you do not have one, we can issue one on your first visit. You will need to provide proof of identity with name, address and signature.

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Q: Is it free to use your facilities?

A: Yes, it is free.

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Q: Is there parking available?

A: Yes, there is a small pay-and-display visitor car park adjacent to the building. The Top o' Town is only a few minutes walk and has both long and short stay parking. There is also the market car park (not available on Wednesdays) which is a 10 minute walk from us.

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Q: I am unable to visit your facilities, can you do research for me?

A: Yes, we can research our records for you using our paid research service and provide you with a report and perhaps some copies of what we have found.

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Q: Do you have disabled access?

A: All the public rooms, including the search room, at the Dorset History Centre are on the ground floor with level access from outside via automatic doors. There is an accessible toilet. Hearing loops are fitted at all the enquiry desks. There are three disabled parking bays in the History Centre car park.

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Q: What records do you hold?

A: The Dorset History Centre holds over six miles of original records, held in specialist archival storage, dating from 965AD to the modern day. We collect archives of all kinds relating to Dorset and Dorset families.

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Q: Do you hold parish registers?

A: Yes, the Dorset History Centre holds the parish registers for the county of Dorset, often dating from 1538.

Q: Do you hold local history books?

A: Yes, the Dorset Local Studies Collection of over 15,000 books, Ordnance Survey maps and pamphlets about Dorset's local history, archaeology, topography, geology and natural history are also housed on open access in the Dorset History Centre.

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Q: Do you issue birth, marriage and death certificates?

A: No, registrars issue certificates, these can be requested from the General Register Office. The Dorset History Centre does however hold indexes to birth, marriage and death certificates for England and Wales.

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Q: Do you hold records for Bournemouth and Poole?

A: Yes, the Dorset History Centre holds records for the whole county of Dorset including Bournemouth and Poole. We are jointly funded by Bournemouth Borough, Dorset County Council and the Borough of Poole.

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