Dorchester

Dorchester is the county town of Dorset and the seat of local goverment. The town was founded by the Romans who named it Durnovaria after their victory over the iron age hillfort of Maiden Castle close by. Dorchester at one time consisted of four Anglican parishes; Holy Trinity, St Peter's and All Saints, all of the churches being in close proximity to each other in the center of town (Fordington was also considered as Parish of Dorchester at one time, it is dealt with as a seperate parish to Dorchester on this site). Holy Trinity parish was merged into that of St Peter's with the Goverment act of 1894, later becoming redundant and being purchased by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth, the inaugural Mass taking place on 28th May 1976, the church retaining its original dedication to the Holy Trinity.

Dorchester is 16 miles South-west of Blandford, 15 miles east of Bridport and 8 miles north of Weymouth, it is built on the river Frome. The main streets are High Street, High West Street and South Street.

St Peter's

Photograph of All Saints Church courtesy of Michael Days' Dorset Churches web site

There is no Online Parish Clerk (OPC) for Dorchester at present

We suggest, if you can't find your ancestor here, to also check the Fordington records