Wareham Genealogical Records

Wareham 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.

Wareham Baptism Records (1813-1906)

Records of baptism for people born in and around Wareham between 1813 and 1906. 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.

Wareham Baptism Records (1700-1812)

Baptism registers record the baptism of those born in and around Wareham and were subsequently baptised in an Anglican place of worship. They are the primary source of birth details before 1837, though are useful to the present.

Wareham Baptism Registers (1734-1837)

Baptism records from people born in and around Wareham between 1734 and 1837. Lists the name of people's parent's, their occupations and abode.

St Martin, Wareham Baptism Registers (1622-1812)

Baptism records from people born in and around Wareham between 1622 and 1812. Lists the name of people's parent's, their occupations and abode.

Wareham 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.

Wareham Marriage Records (1813-1929)

Marriage records from people who married at Wareham between 1813 and 1929. Lists an individual's abode, marital status and more.

Wareham Marriage Records (1700-1812)

Details on those who married at Wareham between 1700 and 1812. Information given usually includes abode and marital status. After April 1837 father's names and ages are recorded.

Wareham Marriage Registers (1594-1837)

Details on those who married at Wareham between 1594 and 1837. Information given may include parents' names, ages, marital status, abode and more.

Wareham, St Mary Marriage (1823-1866)

Marriage records from people who married at the church between 1823 and 1866.

Wareham 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.

Wareham Burial Records (1813-1979)

Burial records for people buried at Wareham, detail the deceased's name, residence and age from 1813 to 1979. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

Wareham Burial Records (1700-1812)

Burial records for people buried at Wareham between 1700 and 1812. Lists the deceased's name, residence and age. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

Lady St Mary, Wareham Burial Registers (1602-1875)

Burial records for people buried at Lady St Mary, Wareham between 1602 and 1875. Lists the deceased's name, residence and age. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

Holy Trinity, Wareham Burial Registers (1587-1812)

Burial registers record burials that occurred at Holy Trinity, Wareham. 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.

Wareham 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 Wareham

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.

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

Wareham 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.

Wareham 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.

Wareham 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.

Wareham 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.

Wareham 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.

Wareham 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.

Wareham Cemeteries

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.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Wareham 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.

Wareham 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.

Wareham 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.

Wareham 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 Wareham

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.

Wareham 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.

Wareham Church Records

Wareham Parish Registers (1700-1979)

Prior to civil registration in 1837, the parish registers of Wareham are the most common place to turn for details on births, marriages and deaths.

Wareham Parish Registers (1587-1875)

The parish registers of Wareham are a collection of books essentially documenting births, marriages and deaths. Their records can assist tracing a family as far back as 1587.

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 Wareham

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.

Wareham 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.

Wareham 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

WAREHAM is situated on a peninsula formed by the rivers Frome and Piddic, near their confluence with the waters of Poole Harbour, and is supposed to derive its name from Varaham, a habitation on a fishing-shore. The Romans had a station here, and Mr. Baxter and others imagine it to have been the Marino of Ravennas, and Richard of Cirencester.

The town is situated on a rising ground, declining gently to the south, and is ten miles from Poole. The soil about Wareham is a black-sand. The form of the town is very regular, almost a long square; the streets intersecting one another at right angles, particularly the four principal ones, which divide the town, into regular quartets. The area of the town, within the walls, is computed at about 100 acres, containing a population of 1,079 inhabitants.

Wareham was anciently a borough by prescription, and it possessed a charter from Queen Elizabeth, investing the government of the town in a mayor, six burgesses, and other corporate officers. The mayor is coroner of the town, and the isles of Purbeck and Brownsea. The charter under which the present corporation was constituted, was obtained from Queen Anne in 1708. The ancient records of the town are lost. The representatives in Parliament are elected by the mayor and corporation, the inhabitants who pay scot and lot, and the freeholders; the number of voters about 150.

Wareham was once a very large and populous town, though, in consequence of frequent ravages by fire, devastations by wars, and the retreat of the sea from its port, now an inconsiderable place. In Edward the Confessor's time, it had two mints; and William the Conqueror added to its importance by building a strong castle, of which, however, there is nothing to point out the site, except the name of Castle-Close, a spot which is now a deal-yard, on the south side of the town. Traces of other fortifications may be seen in several places.

Near St. Mary's Church, there are some remains of a Priory (now converted into a dwelling and malt-house,) which was one of the most ancient religious establishments in the county, and is said to have been founded by Sr. Adhelm, Bishop of Sherborne, about the year 709. There are two churches besides St. Mary's; but divine service has been discontinued in them, and they are going fast to decay. The latter is a spacious handsome fabri with an embattled tower.

Near the town, in a close now called Castle Close, there was formerly a castle (of which nothing now remains) remarkable for the imprisonment and horrid death of Robert de Belesme, Earl of Montgomery, who being doomed to close confinement in this castle, for rebellion against Henry the First in 1114, he starved himself to death.

The Free-School at Wareham is endowed with twenty-five pounds per annum for a master, there is also 10l. per annum for a person to teach the poor children of Wareham the English tongue: and an Almshouse for the maintenance of eleven poor people.

The Quay is on the south side of the town, and is very commodious; but the trade is now inconsiderable. The chief article of exportation is pipeclay, of which 10,000 tons are annually shipped off to London, Hull, Liverpool, Glasgow, and for the supply of various potteries.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

WAREHAM is a municipal borough with a station on the London and South Western railway, 125 miles from London, 17 south-east from Dorchester, 4 north-west from Corfe Castle, 8 south-west from Poole, and 6 south from Bere Regis, it is the head of a union, county court district and petty sessional division, in the Eastern division of the county, hundred of Winfrith, Whitchurch rural deanery (Poole portion), archdeaconry of Dorset and diocese of Salisbury. The town is situated between the rivers Piddle and Frome, occupying a rising ground, near their outfall into Poole Harbour, and consists of four spacious and open streets, intersecting each other at right angles, its area being nearly inclosed by high artificial ramparts of earth, and covering about 100 acres; these ramparts are of remote antiquity, supposed to be of British origin, and now form a healthful recreation ground for the inhabitants. Wareham was a Roman settlement, as was Stoborough, and figures largely in history from the time of Canute to that of the Commonwealth. The space between the embankments and the present inhabited part has been converted into gardens, which are let by the lord of the manor at moderate rents. There is a substantial stone bridge of six arches crossing the Frome from South street, and connecting the county with the Isle of Purbeck, which was rebuilt about the year 1777. There is a salmon fishery in this river, but from the system of taking the fish out of season, on their ascending the river to spawn, it was nearly destroyed, but now under more stringent regulations has considerably revived; the tides flow as high as Holme Bridge, 3 miles above the town. In 1762 the town, with the exception of three churches now standing, was entirely consumed by fire. It is a borough by prescription, and possesses several charters, under one of which, granted by Queen Anne in 1703, the government of the town was vested in a mayor, recorder, and six capital, and 12 assistant burgesses, with a town clerk, and other officers, but under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1883 (46 & 47 Viet. c. 18) a new charter was issued, July 16, 1886, and the corporation now consists of a mayor, four aldermen and 12 councillors, who also act as the Urban Sanitary Authority. The borough returned two members to Parliament from the reign of Edward I. until the passing of the “Reform Act, 1832” (2 & 3 Wm. IV. c. 45), which reduced the representation to one only, and under the provisions of the “Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885” (48 & 49 Viet. c. 23) it was merged in the Eastern division of the county. There is an ancient court of record here, which has fallen into disuse, and is superseded by the county court.

The town is lighted with gas by a company.

This town contains three parishes:-Holy Trinity within, Lady St. Mary within and St. Martin's within. The churches of Holy Trinity and St. Martin are both standing, but neither of them are used for public worship; the latter, now covered with ivy and forming a very picturesque object in North street, is only used for the burials of the members of one or two families. There are some traces of other parochial churches having existed in former times, called St. Michael, St. Peter and St. John, but the parishes have been consolidated with the others, and the only evidence of their existence is the name in the King’s Books, which subjects the rector to a charge for first-fruits, tenths and land-tax.

The church of St. Mary is very ancient; it consists of chancel, nave, aisles, with chapel, western porch and an embattled western tower, containing 8 bells, with vestry; the chapel in the south aisle is said to be the burial place of the Anglo-Saxon kings, and in it reposed for three years the remains of Edward the Martyr, who was murdered at Corfe Castle by Elfrida; his bones were then removed with much pomp and ceremony by St. Dunstan and a numerous train of monks, to Shaftesbury; the nave of the church was rebuilt in 1841-42, and re-opened for public worship, Sept. 29th, 1842; the chancel contains a beautiful window, of the date of Henry VII. and the tower is a very handsome Gothic structure; near the west entrance is a font of the 11th century, it is of lead, hexagonal in form, mounted on a solid base of Purbeck marble, and on the sides are carved figures, representing the Twelve Apostles in high relief; in digging for the new foundation of the nave, a fine sarcophagus, of Purbeck marble, was discovered, supposed to have been the receptacle for the body of Edward the Martyr; a slight groove surrounding the cist would imply that a metallic lid covered the remains on their being deposited, and which was doubtless removed by Dunstan ; many singular inscriptions, on old stones, built in with the former structure, were also discovered; these, it is deeply regretted were wantonly destroyed or built into the walls of the nave; a few of the above have been restored; from a small portion of the old structure still remaining, and which has been converted into a vestry-room, it would appear as if the old building was highly ornamented, and leaves the archaeologist to regret that so nondescript an object as the new nave should have superseded the more artistic erection of the olden time; there is a monument to the Rev. John Hutchins, author of the “History of Dorset,” who was formerly rector here, and is buried in the chapel formerly used for the burial of the Anglo-Saxon kings. The church was restored in 1882 from designs by Coulson and Son, of Winchester; the nave was reseated and the western gallery removed; the church was re-paved with Poole tiles and gas fittings introduced, the total expenditure was about £2,000; in 1893-4, the chancel was rebuilt, at the cost of Mrs. Rodgett of Sandford house; the organs, also the gift of Mrs. Rodgett, has lately been removed to an organ chamber, built at the sole expense of James B. Dugdale esq. J.P.; the church will now seat 1,000 persons. The register dates from the year 1762. The living consists of the rectories of Holy Trinity, St. Martin and St. Mary, with the perpetual curacy of Arne annexed, average tithe rent-charge £375, joint gross yearly value £509, net £257, with 10 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of W. M. Calcraft esq. and held since 1888 by the Rev. Selwyn Blackett, chaplain to Wareham union and surrogate. A Catholic church, dedicated to St. Michael, at Westport, was erected in 1889; it is of Purbeck stone with Doulton dressings, in the Early English style, and consists of chancel and nave, and will seat about 200 persons. There are three chapels, viz. Congregational, in Chapel lane, seating 460; Wesleyan, North street, seating 250; and Unitarian, South street, seating 250.

A cemetery of about one acre, adjoining the church of St. Mary, was formed in 1882 at a cost of about £200, it contains one mortuary chapel and is under the control of a Burial Board of 9 members.

The Town Hall and Corn Exchange, in the Market place, is a Gothic building of red brick, with stone dressings, having tower and clock; it is used not only by the corporation, but for other public meetings of the town and neighbourhood, and the sittings of the petty sessions of the borough and county justices; it contains a public reading room.

The head quarters of B Company 1st Volunteer Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, are in South street.

This town has long been noted for its extensive trade in potters’, fire, pipe, tile and other kinds of clay, some thousands of tons of which are annually sent to Staffordshire, America, Stockholm, Belgium, France and other parts; the railway, laid down from the pits by the late Mr. W. J. Pike, with a gradual incline to the mouth of the river Frome, conveys the clay at a very trifling cost; there is also an extensive brewery belonging to Messrs. Panton & Co. and there are brick and clay works at Sandford. The market day is Tuesday. There are two fairs, held on the Tuesday nearest the 17th April and 11th Sept. both for cattle, which are generally well attended; there are also five cattle markets, commencing about 14th February, and continuing every fortnight.

There is an almshouse for six men and five women, endowed by John Strech esq. and rebuilt in 1741 by Henry Drax and John Pitt esqrs. : each of the eleven alms people receive seven shillings weekly, besides a new gown or cloak, beef and coals at Christmas: this income is continually augmented from the increasing value of the estate. There are also charitable bequests, amounting to £75 yearly, arising from Consols and land left in 1828 by Stephen Bird and others, divided annually in small sums to about 200 persons.

The Priory of SS. Mary, Peter and Ethelwold, founded by the Earl of Leicester, in the reign of Henry I. as a cell of St. Benoit-sur-Leyr, near this church is still standing: it was originally founded by St. Aldhelm, who died A. D. 709; in the year 1880 a double piscina, octagonal in form and of Purbeck marble, was discovered in the wall on the south side of the chancel.

Sandtford, the residence of Mrs. Rodgett, about 2 miles north-east, is a very elegant mansion, in the Elizabethan Style, built of white brick of the neighbourhood with stone dressings: it occupies an elevated site overlooking Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island, and is well sheltered by fir plantations.

St. Martin’s House, the residence of Freeland Filliter esq. is in North street.

The principal landowners are W. M. Calcraft esq. of Rempstone Hall, who owns the manor, the Earl of Eldon, Mrs. Erle-Drax, D. Sturdy esq. E. Sturdy esq. and Mrs. Rodigett, of Sandford.

The areas, rateable values and populations of the parishes are as follows:

AcresRateable valuePop. 1891
Holy Trinity, 2,609 of land & 141 of foreshore£2,471796
Lady St. Mary, 2,626 of land & 24 of water4,6321,668
St. Martin, 2,903 of land & 1,099 of foreshore3,651623

The area of the municipal borough is 251 acres; the population in 1891 was:-Holy Trinity (part of), 267; Lady St. Mary (part of), 1,513 ; St. Martin (part of), 361.

Swineham, 1 mile east-by-north, and North and South Bestwell, were, by Local Government Board Order, transferred from East Stoke to St. Martin parish in 1888, and at the same date North and South Trigon were transferred from St. Martin to Lady St. Mary.

Stoborough Liberty, in Holy Trinity parish, is on the south of the Frome, over which is a substantial stone bridge to Wareham.

Petty Sessions are held at the Town Hall every alternate Tuesday at 12 noon. The following places are included in the Petty Sessional division :-Afflington, Affpuddle, Arne, including Holy Trinity (out) (Wareham), Bere Regis, Blatchenwell, Bloxworth, East Bradle, Briantspuddle, East Burton, East Chaldon, Chaldon Herring, Church, Knowle, Coombe Keynes, Corfe Castle, Creech East, Creech Grange, Earlsmead & Haymoor, Eggleston, Encombe, Herstone & Langton Matravers, East Holme, West Holme, Holworth, Hyde, Kimmeridge, Kingshold, Kingston, Kingston Winterborne, Lady St. Mary (Wareham), Langton Wallis, Longcotts, East Lulworth, West Lulworth, East Morden, West Morden, Moreton, Ower, Povington, Rempstone, Rollington, St. Martin (Wareham), Shitterton, Steeple, Stoborough, East Stoke, Studland, Swanage, Tonerspuddle, Tyneham, Whitecliff, Winfrith Newburgh, Wool, Worgrett & Worth Matravers.

Places of Worship, with times of services

St. Mary’s Church, Rev. Selwyn Blackett, rector; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Catholic (St. Michael), Westport, Rev. Placid Wareing, superior.

Congregational, Chapel lane, Rev. William Densham, 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.

Wesleyan, Nortlh street, Rev. Amos Cleaver; 10.50 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.15 p.m.

Unitarian, South street, served from Poole, 6.30 p.m.

Schools

A School Board of 5 members was formed Feb. 20, 1873 ; Edward Seymer Clark, West street, clerk to the board ; John Bridle, North street, attendance officer.

Board Schools, West street, for 355 children; average attendance, 250.

National, St. Martin’s lane, built in 1885, for 400 children; average attendance, 210.

National, Stoborough, built in 1875, for 100 children ; average attendance, 80.

National, Sandford, built about 1875, for 100 children; average attendance, 75.

A new infant school was added in 1892, for 60 children.

Kelly's Directory of Dorset (1895)

Most Common Surnames in Wareham

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Winfrith Hundred
1White601:513.10%1
2Best561:5519.51%126
3Randall391:7810.96%89
4Miller341:904.09%8
5Marsh331:934.91%22
5Samways331:936.26%40
7Smith321:952.07%2
7Lillington321:9533.33%444
9Gover311:9827.93%380
10Churchill301:1026.13%48
11Cox281:1093.04%7
11Selby281:10919.18%284
11Bridle281:1098.16%97
11Stockley281:10913.08%192
15Brown271:1131.79%3
16Parker251:1226.94%87
16Whittle251:1227.76%108
16Hibbs251:12212.69%205
19Collins241:1274.58%43
19Guy241:1277.02%99
19Crumpler241:12725.00%444
22Heath231:13347.92%787
22Hooper231:1339.47%163
22Fancey231:13374.19%1,064
25Howe221:13915.94%299
26Cooper201:1536.99%128
26Bartlett201:1531.58%4
26Bacon201:15348.78%882
26Hordle201:15336.36%707
30Bennett191:1614.20%55
31Burgess181:1709.78%229
31Norris181:17012.24%279
31Hobbs181:17011.76%270
31Stickland181:1703.42%40
31Cake181:17010.47%243
36Drake171:1804.84%92
36Hodge171:18051.52%1,029
36Dunning171:18014.05%336
36Elmes171:18028.33%649
40Richards161:1914.49%89
40Barnes161:1912.31%18
40Orchard161:1916.96%173
40Toop161:1918.21%206
40Meaden161:19116.67%444
45Green151:2042.19%20
45Baker151:2042.11%16
45James151:2042.81%39
45Sansom151:2044.32%95
45Fudge151:2046.91%187
50Davis141:2181.71%9
50Lucas141:2184.47%114
50Dugdale141:21836.84%927
50Diffey141:21813.73%416
50Parmiter141:21851.85%1,174
55Hardy131:2353.56%84
55Wills131:2353.02%62
55Baskett131:23541.94%1,064
55Tollerfield131:23550.00%1,203
59Cole121:2543.08%73
59Lane121:2542.23%38
59Vincent121:2543.08%72
59Hood121:25416.90%575
59Crocombe121:25466.67%1,491
59Marshallsay121:25411.32%400
59Harvell121:25432.43%943
66Grant111:2784.87%177
66Summers111:2787.86%297
66Ridout111:2782.55%61
66Bussey111:27891.67%1,933
66Woolfries111:27825.58%850
71Thompson101:3055.92%246
71Andrews101:3051.50%23
71Shepherd101:3056.62%274
71Curtis101:3051.96%44
71Welsh101:30517.54%684
71Fry101:3052.34%63
71Prince101:30511.63%487
71Nicholas101:30547.62%1,363
71Edmonds101:3059.26%390
71Spicer101:3054.65%191
71Edmunds101:3059.09%383
71Tuck101:3054.90%201
71Baggs101:3059.62%407
71Fooks101:3055.46%230
71Wellstead101:3057.81%319
71Basket101:30555.56%1,491
87Jones91:3392.96%120
87Harris91:3391.11%10
87Stone91:3390.83%6
87Warren91:3391.57%32
87Skinner91:3397.44%336
87Short91:3392.62%97
87Simmonds91:3397.63%352
87Joyce91:3394.69%213
87Mortimer91:33924.32%943
87Bowles91:3398.41%396
87Beer91:3396.25%289
87Thorn91:33910.11%472
87Symonds91:3395.08%235
87Laws91:33914.06%615
87Cann91:33936.00%1,229
87Dorey91:3395.11%236
87Marshman91:33990.00%2,156
87Welstead91:33914.52%633
87Lumber91:339100.00%2,313
87Standfield91:33913.24%591
87Runyard91:33916.98%727
87Filliter91:339100.00%2,313
87Sermeck91:339100.00%2,313
110Foster81:3823.77%194
110Day81:3823.16%152
110Bishop81:3821.32%29
110Poole81:3826.61%336
110Pollard81:38217.02%801
110Garrett81:3825.63%295
110Legg81:3820.73%5
110Ballard81:38218.60%850
110Wiltshire81:38222.86%981
110Hallett81:3821.33%30
110Goodchild81:38219.05%866
110Frampton81:3821.52%42
110Baily81:38226.67%1,093
110Newbury81:38214.04%684
110McEy81:3829.41%494
110Tubb81:38240.00%1,402
110Lush81:3824.00%203
110Billett81:38211.11%565
110Wiffen81:38230.77%1,203
110Roles81:38215.09%727
110Brinton81:38240.00%1,402
110Tatchell81:38211.11%565
110Fancy81:3827.48%396
110Furmage81:38225.81%1,064
110Minchington81:38272.73%2,038
135Taylor71:4360.98%15
135Clark71:4361.60%57
135Powell71:4362.82%157
135Butler71:4363.78%224
135Gould71:4362.18%109
135Hutchings71:4362.86%161
135Cobb71:4362.41%123
135Shelton71:43677.78%2,313
135Strange71:4364.61%272
135Penney71:4368.97%533
135Longman71:4364.38%260
135Joiner71:4366.42%385
135Panton71:43646.67%1,675
135Keates71:43638.89%1,491
135Manuel71:4366.25%377
135Northover71:4362.08%101
135Yearsley71:43641.18%1,539
135Lance71:43633.33%1,363
135Staple71:4369.59%560
135Beacon71:436100.00%2,754
135Brixey71:43621.88%1,045
135Nineham71:43614.89%801
135Kerly71:43653.85%1,847
135Croombes71:43670.00%2,156
135Snafield71:436100.00%2,754
160Roberts61:5090.98%28
160Phillips61:5091.31%53
160Saunders61:5091.25%51
160Watts61:5091.18%45
160Morton61:50950.00%1,933
160Willis61:5092.70%183
160Hayward61:5091.92%114
160Head61:5096.90%481
160Seymour61:5094.96%336
160Durrant61:5093.11%209
160Hopper61:50966.67%2,313
160House61:5091.05%33
160Burden61:5091.30%52
160Tasker61:50946.15%1,847
160Salisbury61:5096.59%465
160Gillard61:5094.84%328
160Knapp61:50933.33%1,491
160Broomfield61:50922.22%1,174
160Lugg61:50912.50%787
160Dibben61:5093.28%230
160Wakely61:5096.00%422
160Mussell61:50926.09%1,283
160Densham61:509100.00%3,092
160Cleall61:5093.95%272
160Vye61:5097.59%524
160Upshall61:5094.38%302
160Kenway61:50910.34%672
160Haysom61:50915.79%927
160Doming61:509100.00%3,092
160Kitcatt61:50928.57%1,363
160Sinnick61:50930.00%1,402
191Ellis51:6111.87%139
191Stevens51:6111.20%65
191Brooks51:6114.35%368
191Abbott51:6111.67%121
191Hurst51:6116.58%545
191Doyle51:61131.25%1,616
191Robbins51:6114.63%390
191Speed51:61138.46%1,847
191Pitcher51:6112.15%168
191Hodder51:6111.64%119
191Gillingham51:6111.36%81
191Dicker51:6116.76%555
191Elms51:61162.50%2,498
191Scutt51:6115.15%437
191Galpin51:6112.39%197
191Pridham51:61171.43%2,754
191Chalker51:6116.02%504
191Ralls51:61122.73%1,328
191Woolfrey51:61112.82%905
191Mussel51:61135.71%1,745
191Marshalsay51:61123.81%1,363
191Slurmey51:611100.00%3,470