Since its founding in 1963, the Dorset Historical Society has been collecting artifacts, books, ledgers, photographs, legal records, and manuscripts about local families such as Ames, Farwell, Jackson, Kent, Manly/Manley, Paddock, Sykes and Underhill.

Dorset Historical Society collections include Revolutionary and Civil War rosters of Dorset men; town census records (1790-1850); mid-19th century maps locating homes and businesses and cemetery records up to the 1970s.

THE PRATT GENEALOGIES

The Reverend Parsons S. Pratt, D.D., was pastor of the Congregational Church of Dorset (now the United Church of Dorset and East Rupert) from 1856 to 1896, and pastor emeritus until his death in 1906. During those years he prepared genealogies for most members of the church. Although some families are covered in only a half-page, others have fifty-plus pages that trace lines back to the immigrant ancestor, along with obituaries, photographs, and other interesting information. The original handwritten Pratt papers now belong to the Dorset Historical Society, together with Dr. Pratt's Record of Marriages (1848-1885).

RESEARCH REQUESTS

Visitors wishing to research family or local history are welcome at the Dorset Historical Society during regular hours or by appointment.

Limited genealogy research can be performed by staff members or volunteers on a time-available basis. Requests should be initiated by letter, not email. Please provide all available information, including lineage charts and/or family group sheets and supply known alternative spellings of names. Include full contact information—email, mailing address and telephone number. There will be a modest charge to cover the cost of copies and postage.

The Dorset Historical Society is always interested in receiving histories, records and details about Dorset families and their descendants.