Although our meetings and exhibition have been postponed, monthly updates will continue to be emailed to members, and research is continuing as follows:
Ham family of Milton Abbas research – all wills and other documents have been transcribed and searched. Writing up is in progress.
18th century Clothing and dress – research in progress ready for exhibition.
Milton Abbas Grammar School – research complete, writing up for exhibition.
Milton Abbas Occupations – research in progress.
Milton Abbas Martyrs – six men given 2 months hard labour for “Combining with others to increase wages” in 1803 – thirty years before the Tolpuddle Martyrs, completed but we would like more information on the Dorset Justice “James Frampton”
Vermin – Churchwardens Accounts transcribed and searched.
St James Church, Milton Abbas, consecrated 1786, research ongoing.
1317 Milton Abbas Customary – translation and transcription from medieval Latin ongoing. A D Mills, Place Names of Dorset, Parts 1 – 4 are being searched to corroborate field and other place names in this customary. A presentation is ready to be given as soon as our meetings can resume.
The Tudor cartoons from the 1317 Customary have been put on the Facebook site Medieval and Tudor Royal History We are hoping that someone can interpret these. The post has had plenty of likes, but no useful comments. I have tried to put these cartoons on Susannah Lipscombe’s Facebook page, but not succeeded.
Milton Abbas First School – we now have a comprehensive diary of the years 1985 – 1991. Now available for future local and family historians to research.
Overseers of the Poor Account books – transcription almost complete of all existing records 1771 – 1836. That is 60 000 records! Thanks to our wonderful transcribers. These records are in spreadsheets and available for searching and research.
The ‘Lloyd George Domesday Survey’ of 1911 is being transcribed.
Hoare’s Bank Archives have been visited and initial search for Damer family accounts of the 18th and 19th centuries has been done.
We have purchased new display boards for our exhibitions thanks to a local grant.