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.
DHRG on Facebook
As 1926 began in Dartmouth, there were hopes for the future. Though many men from the shipbuilding and coal bunkering industries were still unemployed, some things were changing for the better - the Castle estate had been improved; Hauley Road had opened; Higherside Flats had been built; the Council had finally agreed to build new homes in Avery’s Meadow and to reclaim Coombe Mud. ![]()
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However, all was not well on the river, where the lower ferry was out of action. GWR had finally terminated their lease, requiring passengers and vehicles to use their ferry, the Mew. The ex-leaseholder, Tom Casey, began a rival penny passenger ferry service in a 12-seater motorboat named “I’ll Try”, but car and lorry drivers had no choice and complained about high prices on the Mew.![]()
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Tom Casey, a great character on the river, is remembered on a Lower Ferry float (pictured). He will shortly have his annual maintenance holiday after the busy festive season. For more on the history of the river ferries, see our book "A River to Cross", available in the Community Bookshop or directly from us.![]()
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We wish you all A Happy New Year discovering our local history. Our first meeting of 2026 is on Monday 5 January at 10am at the Baptist Church Hall, Carey Road, Townstal. All welcome!![]()
#localhistory #exploredartmouth #riverdart
Out now in By The Dart Winter 2025, final piece about Dartmouth in the 1920s. Linking into the 1920s Festival of Devon, the joint Dartmouth Museum/DHRG series has looked at housing and health, ups and downs in the local economy, entertainment, remembrance, and now education. If any of your family benefited from new opportunities opening up in Dartmouth in the 1920s, do get in touch, at www.dartmouth-history.org.uk![]()
Details there also of DHRG's final meeting of 2025 tomorrow Monday 1 December, Christmas Quiz and social. All welco#localhistorys#dartmouthm#devoninthe1920s1#dartmouthmuseumuseum
Announcing our upcoming History Day at the Flavel, Dartmouth, Saturday 15 November. Come and discover seven centuries of health and disease in Dartmouth - talks, activities and displays.![]()
For more information and programme details, see dartmouth-history.org.uk/dhrg_archive/Plague-to-Pandemic-outline.pdf![]()
We look forward to seeing you!🙂![]()
#localhistory #dartmouth #exploredartmouth #flavel #dartmouthlibrary
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 your Christmas shopping, 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