Local History

Archive Facility

The museum holds a wide range of information relating to Crewkerne and surrounding villages.

Research

Whilst we are unable to carry out extensive research, we may be able to help fill some gaps in what you have already found out about your family history.

If you wish us to help you then please contact us by email, letting us know what you are looking to find out and, equally important, what you already know. If necessary we can then make an appointment to discuss findings with one of our volunteer researchers.

Charges

Since we cannot guarantee to find what you are looking for, we would only ask that you make an appropriate donation after the research has been concluded.

Please email us at  crewkernemuseum@hotmail.co.uk

The use of the museums Local History Room is by pre arrangement and must be booked in advance.

There is no charge applicable for students from schools, colleges or academies in the Crewkerne & District area.

What information is available:

1. GENEALOGY

A. Census

  • Crewkerne & District (on microfiche) 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1891, 1901.
  • Census & National Index for Great Britain & Royal Navy (on CD) 1881
  • Census Index for 1851 (name & page ref)
  • Census Index for 1891 (full details)

B. Parish Registers (on microfiche)

  • Crewkerne from circa 1558
  • East Chinnock, Middle Chinnock, West Chinnock, Lopen, Chiselborough, Misterton, Haselbury Plucknett, North Perrott, Hinton St.George, Wayford & Winsham
  • Note: The registers for Marriages, Baptisms and Burials have differing commencement dates between 1558 and 1704 and end dates ranging from 1938 up to 1979
  • N.B. More detailed information available separately

C. Phillimore Marriages

  • To 1812: Crewkerne & Beaminster, Broadwindsor, Chedington, Combe St. Nicholas, Hawkchurch, Martock, Mosterton, Netherbury, South Perrott, Stoke Abbott, Thorncombe, West Hatch
  • To 1837: Hinton St.George, Ilminster, Isle Abbotts

D. Monumental Inscriptions

  • For St. Bartholomew’s Parish Church & Christchurch, Crewkerne: 281 Memorials 1525-1975
  • For Crewkerne Cemetery: 383 memorials 1859-1999

E. Family Trees/Pedigrees

  • For several Crewkerne families

2. LOCATION OF FAMILIES

A. Maps & Town Plans (enlarged for research purposes)

  • 1772 Crewkerne Manor: Donne Survey
  • 1844 Tithe Map – see above
  • 1841 Crewkerne Town Plan: John Wood
  • 1845 Updated Town Plan
  • 1852 Town Plan: G Moss
  • 1886 Crewkerne & Merriott O.S. large scale
  • 1901 / revised 1911 O.S. large scale
  • 1929 O.S. edition including Misterton & part of Merriott
  • Also available: several additional maps & plans (at original size)

B. Trade Directories

  • Available from 1784-1935

C. Local Studies Packs

  • For Crewkerne, Dinnington, Haselbury Plucknett, Hinton St. George, Lopen, Merriott, Misterton, North Perrott, Wayford, West Chinnock

D. Wide ranging information on Crewkerne & villages

  • Pulmans Book of the Axe (1854 edition)
  • Victoria County History
  • Rev. Bartelot History of Crewkerne School 1499-1899

E. Munford

  • List of owners and occupiers of property in Crewkerne in 1852 (includes Tithe Map numbers)
  • Also: similar list to Munford’s, dated to early 1870s

F. Churchwardens’ Accounts

  • Copy: 1783-1829

G. Crewkerne Manor Surveys

  • for1599: list of manor tenants
  • for 1772: map & list of tenants

H. 1844 Tithe Map

  • in addition to the map a partial schedule of properties shown

3. LOCAL HISTORY MATERIAL

  • Crewkerne Grammar and other Schools
  • Crewkerne Streets: documents and research – Market Square, East Street, North Street, Gas Lane/Middle Path
  • Estate & Farm auction sales (from 1655)
  • General Historical Information (from Bronze Age to 20 th century)
  • Hospital & Health
  • Industries (inc. Viney Bridge Factory Study) & Trade
  • Inns in Crewkerne
  • Local newspapers (19 th & 20 th centuries)
  • Memories –audio recordings & written
  • Militia history, WW1 & WW2 & War Memorial
  • Occupations listings
  • Parish Church & Other Places of Worship. Parish magazines from circa 1880
  • Published material for Crewkerne & villages
  • Railway, Turnpikes etc
  • Crewkerne
  • Council Minutes 1943 – 1948
  • Urban District Council 1936 – 1982
  • Local Plans 1984 – 1992
  • Town Guides
  • Carnival Programmes

Find out more about the selection of Publications and Books available to purchase from the museum.