Dorset Records

Ancestry have added two major record collections - Dorset Parish Records, 1813-2001 and Dorset Wills and Probate Records, 1565-1858.

I haven't personally found any ancestors from Dorset so far and I'm feeling pretty envious of anyone who does have connections with the county as I'm sure these records will prove extremely helpful.

1911 Census

Ancestry have also completed the first stage of their 1911 Census release. Members can log in to the site and browse the scanned record images from all over England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

At present, it's not possible to search the records as you would with previous censuses. They've already started work on the transcriptions and are on track to have them all finished by the end of the year. In the meantime, you can browse the records by county and civil parish. This page shows you how.

2nd JUNE

1904 - My grandpa's younger brother, Frederick Edward Hibbitt, was born in Soldier's Point, Dundalk, Ireland, where his father was stationed as a Coastguard. Frederick died at 10 months and my grandpa never mentioned him to my dad. His existence only came to light in recent years since I began researching the family. We aren't even sure whether my grandpa remembered his brother although he would have been 6 years old when Frederick died.


The coastguard station and houses at The Soldier's Point with Cooley in the background
1923 - Harry James Carter & Margaret Fryer were married in Blakeney, Gloucestershire. Margaret's younger sister, Lucy, was one of the witnesses.

1816 - Frances Eleanor Dando was born in Bristol. She was the youngest daughter of Joseph Dando and Ann (nee Murch) who were my 4 x great-grandparents.

4th JUNE

1876 - My great-grandfather, Charles Llewellyn Ernest Elbert Dando, was born at 86 Regent Street, Westminster, London, 135 years ago. His parents split up the following year and it seems that Charles remained in the custody of his father. The bitter relationship between his parents was well documented and nothing is known as to whether Charles ever saw his mother again.

7th JUNE

1946 - On the 7th June, 65 years ago, my great-grandmother, Alice Hibbitt (nee Ridley), died at 25 Lyndrick Road, Plymouth, Devon. The cause of death was myocarditis. Alice was 74 years old and her daughter, Nellie, was present at the death.

Family Tree section

• Updated William Elbert Dando's facts with 1881 census information:
  http://www.hibbitt.org.uk/familytree/fam1756.html
• Updated William Elbert Dando and Emma Sheriff's facts with residence information regarding their childrens' baptisms. Also included the baptism information on each of their children's profiles:
  http://www.hibbitt.org.uk/familytree/fam1756.html
• Updated Sarah Louisa Oliver's facts with 1901 census information:
  http://www.hibbitt.org.uk/familytree/fam1760.html
• Updated Charles Llewellyn Ernest Elbert Dando's facts with 1881 census information:
  http://www.hibbitt.org.uk/familytree/fam1752.html
• Added Mary Ann Smale's (b. abt. 1859) husband, William Frederick Wareham together with a few facts. Also William's parents, Francis Wareham and Sarah Kent:
  http://www.hibbitt.org.uk/familytree/fam78946.html
• Added a few more facts for James George Pitcher and wife, Annie (nee Nolan). Also added their children. Included photos of the family on the family page:
  http://www.hibbitt.org.uk/familytree/fam43616.html

Relevant place names: London, Parkstone (Dorset), Poole (Dorset), Gisborne in New Zealand.

Resources > Biographies Section

• Updated William Elbert Dando's biography with details from the 1881 census and residence information regarding his childrens' baptisms.
• Updated Sarah Louisa Oliver's biography with details from the 1901 census.

(Another recipe from my gran's 1894 publication of 'Mrs Beeton's Cookery Book and Household Guide' - see this post for more information.)

MEAD.
INGREDIENTS.- 7 lbs. of honey, 2 gallons of water, 2 tablespoonfuls of yeast.

Mode.- Boil the honey and water for an hour, straining very carefully ; drain the skimmings through a sieve and return to the pan. When nearly cold, stir in the yeast and put in a cask in a cool place. In a year's time, bottle; and use 3 months afterwards.

Time, 15 months. Average cost, 1s. 6d. per gallon. Seasonable at any time ; useful for a summer drink.

[Why Family Recipe Friday? This phrase has been included in the title in order to take part in Daily Blogging Prompts at Geneabloggers]

25th MAY

1814 - Charles Tidmarsh Dando was born in Bristol. He was the son of Joseph Dando, the elder, and Ann (nee Murch) who were my 4 x great-grandparents. Charles married into the wealthy Spiers family of silk manufacturers.

1762 - Joseph Fryer married Elizabeth Cowles in Westbury on Severn in Gloucestershire, 249 years ago. Elizabeth was Joseph's first wife.

26th MAY

1839 - Carolina/e, nee Browning died in Saul, Gloucestershire, this day 172 years ago and was buried at Arlingham on the 30th. The cause of death was 'Decay of Nature'. Caroline was the wife of William Hall, and afterwards, the second wife of John Fryer, my 5 x great-grandfather.

27th MAY

1763 - John Taysom and Lydia Welch, my 6 x great-grandparents, were married by banns in the Church of St Mary, St Peter & St Paul in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, some 248 years ago.

1819 - 192 years ago on the 27th May, Charles Free and Sarah Malyon were married in St Botolph's Church (right) in Hadstock, Essex. Charles was the son of William Free and Elisabeth (nee Fincham), my 4 x great-grandparents.

30th MAY

1738 - Infant, William Pitcher, son of my 6 x great-grandparents, James and Mary Pitcher, died and was buried in Lydney, Gloucestershire, this day 273 years ago.

FindMyPast.co.uk have added 40,000 new 18th century records for Gloucestershire:

Baptisms - 18,985 records - Dates: 1695-1794 - Parishes: Cam, Coaley, Dursley, Nympsfield, Owlpen, Slimbridge, Stinchcombe, Uley

Marriages - 4,969 records - Dates: 1696-1796 - Parishes - Cam, Coaley, Dursley, Nympsfield, Owlpen, Slimbridge, Stinchcombe, Uley

Burials - 14,513 records - Dates: 1697-1795 - Parishes: Cam, Coaley, Dursley, Nympsfield, Owlpen, Slimbridge, Stinchcombe, Uley

I have family connections in Coaley, Uley, Slimbridge and Dursley but unfortunately I don't currently have a subscription to FindMyPast. I might have to do something about this but I need to check the IGI before shelling out my cash.

1865 - Helena D. Jones was born in New York City, USA. She was the daughter of John Jones and Charlotte S. Dando. Helena later married Thomas Stotesbury Dando and they had 4 children.

1892 - John Tyler died 119 years ago on 22nd May and was buried 5 days later in St Mary & St Peter's Churchyard, Tidenham, Gloucestershire. His headstone is still visible today.

1786 - Robert Free, my 3 x great-grandfather, was born in Hadstock, Essex. He was the son of William Free and his second wife, Elisabeth Fincham.

1931 - My grandparents, Charles George Hibbitt and Ivy Alice Dando, were married at Devonport Register Office in Plymouth. Today would have been their 80th wedding anniversary. Family legend has it that my gran was engaged 3 times (to other people) before she decided to marry my grandpa. Because of all the broken engagements, she apparently decided to just get wed rather than bother with another engagement so this is what they did. It wasn't a quickie marriage though - my gran can be seen in numerous photos with her future father-in-law and he died nearly 3 years before the wedding took place.

1802 - John Ely and Sarah Fryer were married in St Mary the Virgin's Church, Fretherne, Gloucestershire. Sarah was the daughter of my 6 x great-grandparents, Richard Fryer and Mary (nee Harvey).

1890 - Emily Smale, my great-grandmother's sister, was born 121 years ago today.