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Somerset and Dorset Family History Society

The Somerset and Dorset Family History Society was formed in 1975 to cover family history interests in the pre-1974 county of Somerset and the county of Dorset. Its membership is now in excess of 4000.

The society provides assistance to all those researching their families in the two counties, no matter where they live. It has a large research centre in a grade II listed building in Sherborne, Dorset with over 4000 items in its library, transcriptions of approx 90% of the two counties parish registers, over 4500 personal predigrees and many other records.

The society has 10 local groups which organise their own meetings and speakers. There are six in Somerset (Frome, Street, Highbridge, Taunton, Yeovil and Minehead) and four in Dorset (Loders, Weymouth, Wimborne and Sturminster Newton).

The society has a number of publications and indexes including the Dorset marriage index, Somerset marriage index, Dorset monumental inscriptions index, Somerset monumental inscriptions index, Somerset baptism index, Burial database, Wills database and a Pedigree service. The society will undertake paid research for those who cannot get to Sherborne. The magazine, The Greenwood Tree, is also dispatched from here.

Further details of the Somerset and Dorset Family History Society can be found on the website.

Somerset and Dorset Family History Society is affiliated to the Federation of Family History Societies and is a Registered Charity (no 1010351).

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