Dorset History Centre
The Dorset History Centre is the archives service and local studies library for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole. We can help with family, local or house history research, school and community projects and much more!
Who we are
You can read more about who we are and what we do on our about us page.
What we offer
We hold over six miles of original records covering more than a thousand years of Dorset's history, along with a huge range of useful printed sources. We offer a wide range of services and our sources can be especially useful for family history and house history.
Visit us
Please see our guidance for visitors, including a checklist for planning your visit.
Can't visit in person?
- We offer a research service to carry out research on your behalf
- You can search our catalogues online
- You can view and purchase prints of many of our documents with Dorset Pictures Online
- We can provide copies of some documents on request
Latest news
New car parking charges being introduced
New pay and display charges are due to be introduced in the near future.
Whatever the weather
February's Document of the Month looks at an unusual method of weather forecasting.
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