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
Here’s a question on International Women’s Day. How many women are remembered in Dartmouth’s street names? If we discount Britannia Avenue, named (presumably) for HMS Britannia, the answer seems to be only one - Queen Victoria. She visited Dartmouth on several occasions, the first time as a girl, in 1833. When she became Queen in 1837, Victoria Place, newly built at the time, was named for her accession.![]()
![]()
Ten years later she and her husband Prince Albert paid a brief call in the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert; and in 1846 they stopped overnight in the harbour due to bad weather. Victoria wrote in her journal that Dartmouth reminded her of “the beautiful Rhine”, a phrase much used afterwards to promote the town to visitors. ![]()
![]()
Her fourth visit was in August 1856, again in the yacht. After an official reception, the Royal Party toured choice coastal viewpoints by carriage. The Royal Yacht remained overnight, with all the houses illuminated by candlelight. Dartmouth Regatta was due to start so she donated a prize of £25; and from then on, it was the Royal Regatta. The whole visit was front page news in the Dartmouth Chronicle. But it was not until her Diamond Jubilee, in 1897, that the New Road (completed in 1826) was renamed Victoria Road, in her honour. ![]()
#dartmouth #localhistory #internationalwomensday![]()
Photo left, the listed street name on the old medical centre marks Victoria Place, and photo right, Victoria Road, looking east towards the town centre.
In medieval tradition, Valentine’s Day marked the onset of spring, when birds chose their mates. In the 1600s, friends met on the evening of 13 February to draw valentines in lotteries, and exchange messages and gifts.![]()
![]()
The modern practice of sending valentine cards developed in the 1790s, when many new types of paper goods were invented, including greetings cards. By the mid-1800s thousands of cards were sent every year through the post. In 1869, the Western Times reported that, in Dartmouth, “more than 500 valentines were delivered by the postmen on Sunday morning.” ![]()
![]()
Advertisements in the Dartmouth Chronicle (which you can see on our website) show that, at Cranford’s Library (now Kendrick’s Restaurant) you could find “a large, elegant and carefully selected stock”. Children sent “floral and fairy valentines” and those less romantically inclined could buy comic ones. ![]()
![]()
Every year Cranford advertised fashionable new stock prominently in his newspaper. In 1884 his offering included “Prang’s American” valentines. Louis Prang was an American lithographer who became well known for high quality greetings cards. The example illustrated is from the New York Public Library. ![]()
![]()
Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow!![]()
#dartmouth #localhistory
New Year, New Resolutions, New Discoveries! ![]()
Calling all those who want to find out more about the history of their house, or about our beautiful and historic town and the people who've lived and worked here, making it what it is today. The Dartmouth History Research Group will be in Dartmouth Library at The Flavel, Flavel Place, on Friday 10 January from 10 am until 12 noon, to answer questions about our local history and about what we do. Come and pay us a visit - we'd love to #dartmouth##localhistoryc#dartmouthlibraryukh#TheFlavel#TheFlavel
A century ago, Christmas was a time of cautious optimism. Interviewed by the Western Morning News in December 1924, the Deputy Mayor, Alderman Seccombe said: “the borough of Dartmouth has gone through a period of depression and bad trade, but I am confident the signs point to a revival ahead. The Town Council have ... several schemes for the relief of employment and for beautifying the town, and ... other big works in prospect.” Old property in Higher Street was being demolished to provide new housing, and shipbuilders Philip & Son had launched the second of three tankers they were building for an oil company. ![]()
![]()
The weather was mild but stormy, with strong gales in the Atlantic. In Fairview Road, two large trees fell on a house, damaging the roof and chimney, but nobody was hurt. The Royal Mail steamer Sarthe limped into Dartmouth with a broken engine, mooring alongside her sister steamer Radnorshire, laid up in the harbour a few days before. An engine cylinder was transferred from Radnorshire to Sarthe so she could complete her journey to Southampton.![]()
![]()
For last-minute Christmas greetings, the Dartmouth Post Office was open on Christmas Day from 9-10.30am for telegrams and stamps. Church and chapel services were well-attended, and “the usual spirit of gaiety pervaded the Cottage Hospital.”![]()
![]()
We hope the usual spirit of gaiety pervades your festive season too. Thanks to all those who have followed us this year - we look forward to researching more of Dartmouth’s history in 2025.![]()
#localhistory #dartmouth
If you're in Dartmouth, come and see us tomorrow for a local history chat, Friday 8 November 2024, between 10am and 12 noon, at Dartmouth Library, in the Flavel Centre. We'll be there to answer your questions about our rich and fascinating local history, about how to get started on doing your own research, and about what we do as a local group. We look forward to meeting you.![]()
![]()
A big thank you to Dartmouth Library for ho#dartmouth##localhistoryc#dartmouthlibraryu#flavelry #flavel