Useful Links
Below are links to external websites that you may find useful.
- Explore the archives and view original documents at the Devon Heritage Centre.
- The National Archives is the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, and for England and Wales.
- The Devon History Society is is a registered charity that promotes the study of all aspects of Devon’s history.
- The South West Maritime History Society encourages interest in all aspects of maritime history and promotes research in these fields, leading where possible to the publication of the results of such studies.
- GENUKI provides a virtual reference library of genealogical information of particular relevance to the UK and Ireland.
- The Dartmouth Directory is an online resource for all things in and around Dartmouth, including accommodation, shopping, estate agents, education and hospitals.
- The Blackawton & Street History Group aims to research, collate and record historical information on the twin parishes of Blackawton and Strete publicise activities and outcomes.
- Dartmouth Museum is a small but fascinating museum which occupies part of the historic Butterwalk, a terrace of rich merchants’ houses built in 1640.
- The Kingswear Devon website provides an abundance of information on Kingswear, on the opposite side of the Dart from Dartmouth.
- The Devon Family History Society promotes the study of genealogy and history, especially of Devon families and places.
- The Friends of Devon Archive promotes the preservation and use of historical records throughout Devon and to raise public awareness of their importance for research and education.
- The Devon Rural Archive in Shilstone, Modbury is an independant heritage centre for the study of Devon’s buildings and landscapes.
- Based in Totnes in South Devon, the Totnes Image Bank & Rural Archive is a volunteer-run historic photographic archive.
- Dartmouth’s Great War Fallen is a website dedicated to all those commemorated in the town of Dartmouth who died as a result of their service to their country, during or shortly after the Great War.
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Come and see us in Dartmouth Library on Friday 10 October, from 10am to 12 noon. Bring your questions about family history, house history, or any local history!![]()
Our pictures show a 19th century chimneypot in Foss Street, imported to Dartmouth all the way from Fareham in Hampshire. It was spotted by Mo, who came to our Book Festival session and told us about it. Can you spot any others in Dartmouth? We'd like to find out how significant the trade was.![]()
Let us know by replying to this post, or send a photo to enquiries@dartmouth-history.or#dartmouthm#localhistorys#exploredartmouthm#dartmouthlibrarybrary
Come and see us at the Dartmouth Book Festival, at the Flavel Church! We are very pleased to be participating for the second time. There will be three "Ten Minute Talks" about aspects of our local history, based on our publications, and members will be available to answer any questions you have about researching local history. You will also be able to buy our books. We look forward to meeting new friends and seeing old friends again! ![]()
#dartmouth #localhistory #dartmouthbookfestival #flavel #exploredartmouth
If you're in Dartmouth for Regatta Week, why not try our new free "Explorers Trail", and discover a thousand years of history? To access the trail by smartphone, scan the QR code on one of our cards, or on the bookmarks enclosed in our leaflets. You can find them in the Dartmouth Visitor Centre, Dartmouth Library, or lots of other places round town. Or, click on this link:![]()
www.dartmouth-history.org.uk/explorers-trail![]()
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#dartmouth #localhistory #exploredartmouth
80 years ago, as Dartmouth celebrated VJ Day on 15 August 1945, the town “became gay with bunting and merry peals were rung on the bells of St Saviour’s Church. Ships in the harbour sounded their sirens and while the children carried Union Jacks their elders wore red, white and blue favours. The Borough Band played in the Royal Avenue Gardens and the streets were thronged with people. The Mayor, with members and officials of the Corporation, attended a thanksgiving service in the afternoon conducted by the ministers of the town at the bandstand in the Gardens. There was alfresco dancing at night. Many streets staged their own celebrations with tea and entertainments for the children.” (Western Morning News)![]()
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More thanksgiving services were held the following Sunday in the town’s churches. In six long years of war, Dartmouth had played its part, and many had paid a heavy price, both in Dartmouth itself, and in land, sea and air in many other parts of the world. Our picture shows the names of the service and civilian dead added to the Town War Memorial in 1947. For their full details, see the Roll of Honour in our book “When War Came to the Dart”.![]()
#localhistory #dartmouth #VJDay
Come and see us in Dartmouth Library on Friday 11 July 2025, from 10am to 12 noon.![]()
Bring your questions about the rich history of Dartmouth and the surrounding area, or about how to look into your family or house history, and we’ll do our best to answer them! We look forward to meeting you! A big thank you to Dartmouth Library for hosting us.![]()
#localhistory #dartmouthlibrary #exploredartmouth![]()
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Our picture shows some advertisements from the official Illustrated Guide to Dartmouth from about a century ago, published by Cranford & Sons, price 6d. In the 1920s tourism and leisure were already becoming increasingly important to the town, as we can see from the Guide.