Dorset History Centre

The Dorset History Centre is the archives service and local studies library for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.

How we can help

We can help with family history, local history or house history research, school and community projects and much more!

We hold a huge collection of documents (including parish registers) and books relating to the history of Dorset.

You can visit the History Centre for free to make use of the archives and library - we are open Tuesdays to Saturdays inclusive.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions, or click on the links below to find out more about collections and services.

Contact us
The Dorset History Centre can be contacted by email, telephone or post.
Visiting the Dorset History Centre
Details of our opening times, how to find us, what you will need to bring and the facilities that are available.
Search our catalogue
Dorset History Centre's online catalogue gives access to over 150,000 catalogue entries, with more being added all the time.
Collections
The Dorset History Centre holds over six miles of original records, kept in specialist archival storage. We collect archives of all kinds relating to Dorset, including Bournemouth and Poole.
Services
We offer a range of services: copying of documents on request, a research service for enquirers who can't visit us in person, learning sessions, talks, publications for sale and much more.
Latest news
All the latest news from the History Centre, with details of forthcoming events and projects.
About us
More about who we are and what we do, including a brief history of the service.
Document of the Month
Dorset History Centre features a monthly image of an interesting document in their collection to reflect the history of Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.
Dorset Pictures Online - buy archive prints from Dorset History Centre
Browse over 300 archive images from Dorset History Centre and buy prints online.
Frequently asked questions