Fordington

Fordington now could be considered a suburb of Dorchester but is actually a village in it's own right; it's High street runs directly off the lower end of Dorchester's though much quieter in nature, it's green still retaining a village 'feel'. At one time Fordington encompassed Dorchester to the north, east and west; the Dorset History Centre now in Dorchester is built on the site of the old Fordington barracks.

With the two being so close it is not unusual to find records for a person or family in both Fordington and Dorchester so it is always a good idea to check all the parishes. The graveyards of the three Dorchester parishes were closed towards the late 1860's and a municipal cemetery built however many Dorchester people were buried in Fordington.

The Church of St George dominates the parish, dating from the 15th Century it has over the entrance of the south porch a Norman tympanumy. It depicts St George leading the Crusaders to victory at the battle of Dorylaeum in the year 1098.

Much older than this is the famous Romana Stone. Of Purbeck stone It bears the inscription

'To Gaius Aristobulus, a Roman Citizen, aged 50. Rufinus and Marina and Avita his children. Erected by Romana his wife.'
Today Fordington Churchyard contains the remains of British Soldiers, German prisoners of war and most recently a memorial in rememberance of Thomas Warr, a Fordington man who took part in the 'Charge of the light Brigade'

The OPC for Fordington is Michael Russell

We suggest you also check the records for Dorchester

All records by the OPC unless otherwise stated