Bere Regis Genealogical Records

Bere Regis Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Bere Regis Baptism Records (1813-1906)

Baptism registers are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names and more.

Bere Regis Baptism Records (1770-1812)

Baptism registers are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names and more.

Bere Regis Baptism Registers (1585-1897)

Records of baptism for people born in and around Bere Regis between 1585 and 1897. Details include child's name, parents' names and date of birth and/or baptism. Records may also include parent's occupations, residence, place of origin and more.

Bere Regis Baptism (1788-1865)

Records of baptism include child's name, parents' names and dates of birth and/or baptism.

Bere Regis Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Bere Regis Marriage Records (1813-1929)

Marriage registers are the primary source for marital documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They typically the record marital status and residence of the bride and groom.

Bere Regis Marriage Records (1770-1812)

Marriage registers record Anglican marriages in Bere Regis. They are the primary marriage document before 1837 and contain the same details as marriage certificates from then on.

Bere Regis Marriage Registers (1585-1837)

The Marriage registers of Bere Regis, document marriages 1585 to 1837. Details given on the bride and groom may include their age, father's name, marital status, residence and signature.

Bere Regis Marriage (1788-1937)

An index to marriages in between 1788 and 1937, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Bere Regis Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Bere Regis Burial Records (1813-1929)

Burial records for people buried at Bere Regis, detail the deceased's name, residence and age from 1813 to 1929. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

Bere Regis Burial Records (1770-1812)

Records of burial for people buried at Bere Regis between 1770 and 1812. Details include the deceased's name, residence and age. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

Bere Regis Burial Registers (1531-1837)

Burial registers record burials that occurred at Bere Regis. They are the primary source documenting deaths before 1837, though are useful to the present. Details given may include the deceased's name, residence, age, names of relations, cause of death and more.

Bere Regis Burial (1788-1927)

An index to registers of burials for people buried at the church.

Bere Regis Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Dorset Electoral Registers (1839-1922)

A full name index, connected to original images of the registers. These records list those who were eligible to vote and may give a description of an individual's property.

Dorset Poll Book (1807)

A list of freeholders in the county, with their residence, the name of their tenants and the location of their freehold.

Dorset Hearth Tax Assessments (1662-1664)

Transcriptions of hearth tax records for the county of Dorset.

Newspapers Covering Bere Regis

Sherborne Mercury (1770-1867)

Fully text-searchable articles from a local newspaper covering the Sherborne district. It includes family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more.

Western Morning News (1894-1950)

A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.

Western Gazette (1863-1950)

A regional newspaper covering the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire Hampshire and Berkshire. It covers local and national news, family announcements, business news, legal proceedings and more.

Western Times (1827-1950)

A liberal newspaper covering the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It includes family notices.

Dorset County Chronicle (1824-1867)

A regional newspaper including news from the Dorset area, family announcements, business notices, advertisements, legal & governmental proceedings and more.

Bere Regis Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Devon Wills Index (1163-1999)

An index to 295,609 wills of people who lived in or were connected to Devon. The wills they reference can contain a great deal of genealogical information.

Early Gloucestershire Probate Index (1540-1660)

An index to Gloucestershire wills from Bristol and Gloucester Diocese.

Dorset Wills and Probate Documents (1565-1858)

An index linked to original images of wills, administrations and inventories proved in Dorset courts. Documents contain much genealogical information.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.

Bere Regis Immigration & Travel Records

Dorset Vagrant Passes (1739-1791)

An index linked to original images of documents for vagrants. These records were draw up for poor people who moved to parishes where their presence was unwanted. They contain much genealogical information.

Dorset Convict Transportation Records (1724-1791)

Indentures and other records that recorded the transportation of Dorset men and women to the colonies.

Dorchester Company Emigrants (1623-1628)

Details of individuals who left Dorset for New England.

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Bere Regis Military Records

Dorset Militia Lists (1757-1860)

An index linked to original images of lists men eligible to serve in the militia. Records may include name, residence, occupation, age, height, marital status, disabilities and family details.

Dorset Absent Voters (1918-1919)

A list of Dorset-men who were in the military and registered to vote as absent.

Dorset WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Dorset, with some service details.

Dorset WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Dorset, with some service details.

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

Dorchester Prison Documents (1782-1901)

Over 60,000 documents relating to prisoners held at Dorchester Prison. The collection includes admission and discharge books and photographs of the latter prisoners.

Dorset Alehouse Licences & Recognizances (1754-1821)

Documents relating to the licensing of alehouses. Contains details on the proprietor, establishment and conditions of the licence.

Dorset Vestry, Poor and other Parish Records (1640-1932)

Original images of Dorset parish records. Including: poor rates, overseers, churchwardens, vestry, incumbents' and other records.

Dorset Quarter Sessions Records (1625-1905)

The records document Quarter Session judges’ decisions in matters that include settlement inquiries, highway rates, criminal trials, registers of settlement, orders of removal, bastardy examinations, apprenticeships, licensing, contracts, lists of justices, and other matters related to the business of running the county.

Dorset Vestry, Poor and other Parish Records (1511-1997)

Original images of Dorset parish records. Including: poor rates, overseers, churchwardens, vestry, incumbents' and other records.

Bere Regis Taxation Records

Dorset Tithe Apportion & Maps (1835-1850)

Maps delineating fields in Dorset, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.

Dorset Land Tax (1780-1832)

Digital images of 18th and 19th century records that record landowners and their tenants. The taxable value of the land is given, and sometimes a description of the property. These records can be searched by names and place indices.

Dorset Hearth Tax Assessments (1662-1664)

Transcriptions of hearth tax records for the county of Dorset.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Bere Regis Land & Property Records

Dorset Electoral Registers (1839-1922)

A full name index, connected to original images of the registers. These records list those who were eligible to vote and may give a description of an individual's property.

Dorset Tithe Apportion & Maps (1835-1850)

Maps delineating fields in Dorset, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.

Dorset Land Tax (1780-1832)

Digital images of 18th and 19th century records that record landowners and their tenants. The taxable value of the land is given, and sometimes a description of the property. These records can be searched by names and place indices.

Dorset Poll Book (1807)

A list of freeholders in the county, with their residence, the name of their tenants and the location of their freehold.

Dorset Absent Voters (1918-1919)

A list of Dorset-men who were in the military and registered to vote as absent.

Bere Regis Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Dorset (1931)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Dorset (1927)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Dorset (1920)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Dorset (1915)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Dorset (1912)

An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.

Bere Regis Cemeteries

Bere Regis Monumental Inscriptions (1500-1987)

Vital details extracted from tombstones and other monuments.

Dorset Monumental Inscriptions (1200-2000)

An index to vital details engraved on gravestones and other monuments across the county of Dorset.

Dorset Monumental Inscriptions Index (1020-2007)

An index to inscriptions found on 56,608 gravestones and monuments in Dorset. The index includes details of relationships.

Dorset Memorial Inscriptions Index (1421-1985)

An index to inscriptions found on over 11,500 gravestones in Dorset. The index includes details of relationships.

Dorset Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Dorset' most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Bere Regis Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Bere Regis Histories & Books

Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset (1888-1906)

Selected issues of a periodical which contains many historical and genealogical tracts relating to the counties of Somerset and Dorset.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Victoria County History: Dorset (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Dorset Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Dorset.

Dorset Church Histories & Photos (1066-Present)

Short profiles of Dorsetshire churches, containing photographs and bibliographies.

Bere Regis School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Bere Regis Occupation & Business Records

Dorset Crew Lists (1863-1914)

A collection of nearly 60,000 documents including crew lists, ship agreements and log books for Dorset. Records may contain information of a sailors birth, life, duties and discipline.

Dorset Parish Apprentices Indentures (1605-1799)

Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Dorset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.

Dorset Hemp & Flax Bounties (1782-1793)

Over 3,300 documents relating to bounties offered to farmers by the government to grow hemp & flax.

The Dorsetshire Labourer (1887)

An article describing the life of labourers in Dorset in the 19th century. Includes details on hiring practices and poverty.

Smuggling on the South Coast (1700-1867)

An introduction to smuggling in Dorset & Hampshire.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Bere Regis

Victoria County History: Dorset (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Bere Regis Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Dorset (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Dorset Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Dorset' most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Visitation of England and Wales (1700-1899)

Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

Bere Regis Church Records

Bere Regis Parish Registers (1770-1929)

The primary source of documentation for baptisms, marriages and burials before 1837, though useful to the present also.

Bere Regis Parish Registers (1531-1897)

The primary source of documentation for baptisms, marriages and burials before 1837, though extremely useful to the present. Their records can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

Dorset Vestry, Poor and other Parish Records (1640-1932)

Original images of Dorset parish records. Including: poor rates, overseers, churchwardens, vestry, incumbents' and other records.

Dorset Parish Apprentices Indentures (1605-1799)

Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Dorset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.

Dorset Parish Register Index with Images (1538-1812)

Original images of parish registers, searchable by a name index, covering almost all Dorset parishes.

Biographical Directories Covering Bere Regis

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Bere Regis Maps

Dorset Tithe Apportion & Maps (1835-1850)

Maps delineating fields in Dorset, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.

Maps of Dorset (1610-1900)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Bere Regis Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

Bere-Regis, so called from its having been a royal demense, at present a very inconsiderable market town. It is pleasantly situated on a little river of the same name, and is supposed to have been the site of a Roman station, from there being within the distance of half a mile, on Woodbury hill, the undoubted remains of a Roman encampment, with ramparts and ditches.

On this hill a very considerable fair is held, beginning on the nativity of the Virgin Mary, and continuing during the five following days.

The market of Bere Regis was confirmed to the inhabitants by King John, and the town was constituted a borough by Edward I, but it has never been represented in Parliament. It has been twice nearly destroyed by fire, and at present consists of about 200 houses and 936 inhabitants, of whom the largest part are employed in agriculture On our approach towards Blandford, we pass on our right the village of Blandford St. Mary, about a mile distant from the road. 'The celebrated antiquary Brown Willis was born at this place His history of Cathedials, Notitia Parliamentaria, and other publications are much esteemed; and his manuscript collections for a history of Buckinghamshire, to the extent of 150 volumes, sufficiently evince his assiduity. He died in 1760, aged 78, Blandford Forum, Otherwise Blandford Chipping, or Market Blandford, is situated near the Downs, in the northeast part of the county, on the great and principal road from London, and all parts of Hampshire, &c. to Weymouth, Exeter, Plymouth, and from thence to the Land's End.

The surrounding country comprises a fine variety of downs, woods, lawns, arable and pasture land, rich valleys, and excellent air. The dry easterly winds, the cold northern, and the western moisture, are tempered by the warm saline breezes, wafted hither from the ocean. It contains about 431 houses and is divided into two parts. One of these is called the Warnership of Pimperne, containing all that part of the town which lies on the left hand of the London road, from the Crown Inn to the end of Salisbury Street, and down again on the right, to the corner house by the Ship, The principal support of the town and neighbouring villages, is the manufacture of thread, waistcoat and shirt buttons, which employs several hundred women and children. There is a great number of gentlemen's families residing in the neighbourhood, which increases . yearly, on account of the beauty of the country, and the easy supply of what is wanted from the town, which abounds with shops of every kind; and the industry of its inhabitants has made its trade much superior to any inland town in the county; to which also may be added the great and continual influx of strangers, its fairs, markets, and the races, which are annually held on a fine down, two miles from the town in the parish of Tarrant Monkton, or Launston, in July or August. Formerly bone and point lace were made here; but not since the beginning of the last century. The bishop's and the archdeacon's visitations, for the deanery of Pimperne, are kept here. The town has suffered considerably by several great fires: Camden and Coker speak of one that was before 1579; about 1677 a collection was made for Blandford, on account of another; July 9, 1713, the lower part of East Street was consumed, supposed by some malicious person; June 4, 1731, the whole town (excepting the lower part of East Street, which was burned in the last fire) was destroyed. It began at a soap boiler's, or tallow chandler's, the corner of Brianstone, and Whitecliffe-Mill. Streets; three fire engines were burnt or rendered unserviceable in a short time. A brisk north east wind carried the fire into distant parts of the town, and a grocer's shop blew up having a cask of gunpowder in it, by which means the thatch was blown over the town, so that in the space of a quarter of an hour near twenty houses were on fire. The wind shifting to the northeast and east, carried the flakes to every other part of the town, and to the adjacent villages of Blandford St. Mary and Brianstone, and consumed all but three houses. It is remarkable that the houses destroyed by the fire in 1713 and rebuilt, were not burnt in the last fire in 1731; so that in the space of twenty years, the whole town was burnt, except a few outhouses. The fire was so violent and rapid that very little property was saved; above sixty families had the smallpox raging during this calamity, none of whom perished in the flames, but were removed under hedges in the fields, gardens, and under the arches of the bridges, and but one died: a strong and powerful argument for cool regimen. The loss amounted to 85,7261. and upwards, exclusive of insurances. In 1732 an act passed to rebuild the town with brick and tile, in which it was enacted that the streets should be of considerable width,and that combustibles, such as wood, hay, and straw, should be kept in out parts of the town. The King gave 1000l. the Queen 2001. and the Prince of Wales 1001. to be distributed by George Bubb Doddington, Esq. afterwards Lord Melcombe. This town gives title of Marquis to the eldest son of the Duke of Marlborough.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

BERE REGIS (or Beer Regis), which gives name to the hundred, is a parish and was formerly a market town, 6 ½ miles north-west from Wareham station on the South Western railway, 8 south-west from Blandford on the Somerset and Dorset line and 11 north-east from Dorchester, in the Eastern division of the county, petty sessional division of Wimborne, union of Wareham and Purbeck, county court district of Wareham, rural deanery of Whitchurch (Bere Regis portion), archdeaconry of Dorset and diocese of Salisbury. A small stream flows through the parish. The church of St. John the Baptist is a large flint and stone structure, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch and square embattled western tower with carved pinnacles and containing clock without dial, quarter chimes and 5 bells: the style is principally Perpendicular and a little Norman in the interior: the roof of the nave, erected by Cardinal Morton in Henry VII.’s reign, is of richly-carved oak with fine hammer beam figures, popularly supposed to represent the Twelve Apostles, which have been repaired and repainted in their original colours: the seats are of oak with beautifully-carved ends, copied from old patterns: the aisles and chancel are laid with tesselated pavements, some copied from remains dug up in the church and neighbourhood: the remainder of the floor was re-laid with oak blocks in 1894: the windows are all stained, presented by Mrs. Erie Drax: there are two fine canopied tombs in Purbeck marble of the Turberville family, the ancient lords of the manor, and one in the chancel to the memory of John Skerne, with, a curious inscription; also a small brass by the north door, with a Latin epitaph to Andrew Loup: the church was thoroughly restored and reseated in 1875, from designs by the late G. E. Street esq. R. A. at a cost of over £5,000, raised by subscription, the chief contributor being Mrs. Erle Drax: there are sittings for 428 persons. The registers date from 1588, but the 18th century registers were burnt in a fire at the vicarage in 1788. The living is a vicarage, with the chapelry of Winterbourne Kingston annexed, average tithe rent-charge £304, joint gross yearly value £409, net £162, with one acre of glebe and residence, in the gift of the Master and Fellows of Balliol College, Oxford, and held since 1886 by the Rev. William Farrer M.A. of that college: this living, with that of Charminster, formerly constituted the “golden prebend” in the cathedral church of Salisbury. The rent-charge, in lieu of the great tithes, belongs to Mrs. Erle Drax, J. C. Manisel-Pleydell esq. and Messrs Sparkes, of Crewkerne. There is an endowed Congregational chapel and also two Wesleyan chapels, one on Bere heath. A Burial board of nine members was formed in December 1880; the cemetery, which covers an area of one acre, was laid out and inclosed in 1881 alt a cost of about £500, the land being the gift of J. C. Mansel-Pleydell esq.; there is no mortuary chapel: it is now under the control of the Parish Council. There is a charity, founded in the year 1719, by Thomas Williams esq. of Shitterton, for the clothing and teaching of six boys, and one by Jane Williams, of £10 yearly, arising from money invested in the funds, for two poor men and two women. Bere Regis is supposed by Dr. Stukeley to have been the Ibermum of the Romans: it was erected into a free borough by Edward I.: it has suffered severely by fire on three different occasions; first in 1634, again in 1788, and on the last occasion in 1817. A fair, formerly much resorted to, is held here, on Woodbury hill, on the 21st and 22nd September. On Woodlbury Hill which commands a fine view of the surrounding country, is a large camp; and there are several barrows in the vicinity. The kennels of the South Dorset Hunt are situated about 1 mile north, on the road to Kingston. The buildings were erected at the expense of Mrs. E. Erle Drax in 1894: Aston Radcliffe esq. of York, is master of the hounds. The manor of Bere Regis belongs to Mrs. Erle Drax, that of Shitterton to J. C. Mansel-Pleydell esq. and that of Hyde to Charles James Radclyffe esq. J.P. who resides at Hyde House; they are also the chief landowners. The soil is partly chalk and partly clay. The chief crops are wheat and barley, with some pasture. The number of acres is 8,894; rateable value, £6,011; the population in 1891 was 1,144.

Schools

National (boys), Barrow Hill, founded in 1719 by Thomas Williams esq. & placed under government inspection in 1870 & enlarged about the same time, for 98 children; average attendance, 44; partly supported by Williams' charity.

Shitterton, for 150 children; average attendance, 72.

Bere Heath (mixed), built in 1875, for 58 children; average attendance.

Kelly's Directory of Dorset (1895)

Most Common Surnames in Bere Regis

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Bere Regis Hundred
1Cobb611:2120.96%123
2Phillips341:387.41%53
3Lane331:396.12%38
4Sheppard311:4118.45%248
5Brown301:431.99%3
5Langdown301:4342.86%581
7Hewett291:4472.50%895
8Day271:4810.67%152
9Davis221:582.69%9
9Scutt221:5822.68%437
11Joiner201:6418.35%385
12Hall191:686.17%116
12House191:683.33%33
12Lockyer191:6810.80%236
15Rawles181:7115.52%361
16Cole161:804.11%73
17Russell151:863.42%56
18Barnes141:922.02%18
18Hawkins141:923.33%64
18Purchase141:9213.21%400
18Radclyffe141:92100.00%1,745
22Miller131:991.56%8
23Stickley121:10711.01%385
23Standfield121:10717.65%591
23Batrick121:10754.55%1,328
26Burt111:1172.03%37
26Toms111:1175.09%189
26Lugg111:11722.92%787
26Poore111:11710.68%410
30Tucker101:1282.31%60
30Garrett101:1287.04%295
30Hoare101:1283.14%111
30Penfold101:12833.33%1,093
30Shave101:12810.31%437
30Battrick101:1288.47%352
30Gaulton101:12830.30%1,029
30Nutbeam101:128100.00%2,156
30Dannells101:128100.00%2,156
39Bullock91:14318.75%787
39Pitcher91:1433.86%168
39Wellstead91:1437.03%319
39Galton91:14315.00%649
39Mate91:14345.00%1,402
44Moore81:1611.46%35
44Foster81:1613.77%194
44Harvey81:1612.06%73
44Arnold81:1612.39%102
44Gould81:1612.49%109
44Lightfoot81:16172.73%2,038
44Way81:1611.62%47
44Riggs81:1612.06%76
52James71:1831.31%39
52Brewer71:1834.38%260
52Edmonds71:1836.48%390
52Biggs71:18326.92%1,203
52Bowles71:1836.54%396
52Paine71:18310.45%598
52Stroud71:1834.64%274
52Simm71:183100.00%2,754
52Chaffey71:1834.29%254
52Rideout71:1833.63%209
52Sherring71:1837.00%422
52Applin71:1838.86%524
52Jesty71:18311.67%649
52Boyte71:183100.00%2,754
52Kalloway71:18370.00%2,156
67Roberts61:2140.98%28
67Marsh61:2140.89%22
67Bright61:21410.17%660
67Moor61:21450.00%1,933
67Hallett61:2141.00%30
67Tozer61:21442.86%1,745
67Bevercombe61:21485.71%2,754
74Smith51:2570.32%2
74Reed51:2574.17%344
74Warren51:2570.87%32
74Welch51:2572.70%224
74Boswell51:25741.67%1,933
74Pitman51:2571.31%79
74Benham51:25729.41%1,539
74Hibbs51:2572.54%205
74Joyner51:25712.50%895
74Dowden51:25731.25%1,616
74Gain51:257100.00%3,470
74Bascombe51:2575.26%452
74Frizzle51:25727.78%1,491
74Torreville51:257100.00%3,470
88White41:3210.21%1
88Knight41:3211.06%80
88Andrews41:3210.60%23
88Payne41:3211.39%125
88George41:3214.17%444
88Park41:3213.28%334
88Joyce41:3212.08%213
88Ainsworth41:3219.52%866
88Coombs41:3210.79%46
88Sargent41:3212.72%279
88Bullen41:3217.84%755
88Moseley41:321100.00%3,917
88Janes41:32113.33%1,093
88Dunford41:3211.27%113
88Willcox41:3218.70%812
88Dowell41:3215.56%565
88Bugg41:3216.35%623
88Saint41:3217.55%727
88Clover41:32157.14%2,754
88Kitcher41:32157.14%2,754
88Boyt41:3215.97%598
88Nineham41:3218.51%801
88Leps41:321100.00%3,917
111Johnson31:4281.83%253
111Morris31:4280.82%85
111Gregory31:4282.63%370
111Pope31:4280.95%112
111Lock31:4281.09%138
111Langford31:4283.09%437
111Seward31:4285.77%746
111Rolls31:4281.26%166
111Deer31:42875.00%3,917
111Haggett31:42821.43%1,745
111Henning31:4285.45%707
111Clench31:4286.98%850
111Bemister31:428100.00%4,444
111Besent31:42814.29%1,363
111Loule31:428100.00%4,444
126Clark21:6420.46%57
126Cox21:6420.22%7
126Richards21:6420.56%89
126Jenkins21:6421.55%316
126Spencer21:6421.15%239
126Reynolds21:6423.39%660
126Watts21:6420.39%45
126Rose21:6420.32%27
126Bishop21:6420.33%29
126Kent21:6421.55%316
126Winter21:6422.15%460
126Gibbons21:6423.23%633
126Talbot21:6420.89%179
126Paul21:6420.78%150
126Jacobs21:6421.46%302
126Farr21:6422.90%586
126Squires21:6422.90%586
126Burden21:6420.43%52
126Hawker21:6420.86%171
126Chard21:6421.53%311
126Spear21:64228.57%2,754
126Biles21:6421.08%224
126Satchell21:64211.76%1,539
126Kiddle21:6423.51%684
126Corbin21:6421.67%344
126Byles21:64214.29%1,745
126Rudland21:642100.00%5,091
126Wakely21:6422.00%422
126Alner21:6422.99%598
126Sexey21:64233.33%3,092
126Warrey21:64250.00%3,917
126Whennell21:642100.00%5,091
158Thomas11:1,2840.30%104
158Turner11:1,2840.29%99
158Baker11:1,2840.14%16
158Ward11:1,2840.90%380
158Clarke11:1,2840.25%70
158Bailey11:1,2840.26%73
158Ellis11:1,2840.37%139
158Gill11:1,2840.37%139
158Parsons11:1,2840.15%21
158Cross11:1,2840.24%67
158Read11:1,2840.14%17
158Hardy11:1,2840.27%84
158Jordan11:1,2845.00%1,402
158Drake11:1,2840.28%92
158Eaton11:1,2841.06%458
158Simmonds11:1,2840.85%352
158Marriott11:1,2849.09%2,038
158Haywood11:1,2849.09%2,038
158Ware11:1,2841.33%549
158Haslam11:1,284100.00%6,158
158Ballard11:1,2842.33%850
158Edmunds11:1,2840.91%383
158Butt11:1,2840.41%162
158Cowie11:1,28450.00%5,091
158Laws11:1,2841.56%615
158Ricketts11:1,2840.47%194
158Bragg11:1,2841.37%560
158Sibley11:1,2841.03%437
158Frampton11:1,2840.19%42
158Symes11:1,2840.15%25
158Christopher11:1,2840.34%124
158Hansford11:1,2840.15%24
158Hann11:1,2840.29%94
158Bowring11:1,2840.44%179
158Gallop11:1,2840.93%390
158Gilham11:1,28414.29%2,754
158Cousens11:1,2843.23%1,064
158Baverstock11:1,2841.79%695
158Galpin11:1,2840.48%197
158Kingsbury11:1,2840.88%373
158Stent11:1,28420.00%3,470
158Kerley11:1,2840.55%230
158Skuse11:1,28450.00%5,091
158Hector11:1,2847.69%1,847
158Dibben11:1,2840.55%230
158Sansome11:1,28412.50%2,498
158Heley11:1,284100.00%6,158
158Cake11:1,2840.58%243
158Dowland11:1,2841.85%716
158Shaddock11:1,2844.17%1,256
158Horth11:1,284100.00%6,158
158Shear11:1,28416.67%3,092
158Robberts11:1,28411.11%2,313
158Huxford11:1,28410.00%2,156
158Jeffrys11:1,28450.00%5,091
158Bushrod11:1,2841.85%716
158Schuster11:1,284100.00%6,158
158Woolfries11:1,2842.33%850
158Kebby11:1,284100.00%6,158
158Frizzell11:1,2845.26%1,451
158Presslee11:1,2844.76%1,363
158Spicknell11:1,28433.33%4,444
158Forss11:1,28450.00%5,091
158Cozins11:1,2849.09%2,038
158Penbury11:1,284100.00%6,158
158Adains11:1,284100.00%6,158
158Langdom11:1,284100.00%6,158
158Leghan11:1,284100.00%6,158