Poor Law and Civil Registration

Poor Law

Formed in 1836, all three parishes were part of the Dorchester Poor Law Union and one parishioner from each parish sat on the Board of Guardians. The Union Workhouse was situated just outside Dorchester, in Fordington Parish on Damer's Road. Much more information is available here(>Workhouse Locations).

Civil Registration

Registration of births, deaths and marriages began in 1837. Up to 1949, all three parishes formed part of the Dorchester Registration District, after which the District was absorbed into Weymouth Registration District. Copies of certificates of births, marriages and deaths registered in the Dorchester registration district can be obtained from:

The Superintendent Registrar
The Guildhall
St Edmund Street
Weymouth
Dorset
DT4 8AS
Tel: 01305 760899

Information on the local register offices is contained here.