The Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset were published as a series of volumes from 1888.

Each volume comprises 8 separate books, and each book has up to 50 fascinating articles relating to the two counties, amounting to hundreds of articles in total.

The Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset were published as a series of volumes from 1888.

The Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset were published as a series of volumes from 1888.

The Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset were published as a series of volumes from 1888.

The Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset were published as a series of volumes from 1888.

The Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset were published as a series of volumes from 1888.

The Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset were published as a series of volumes from 1888.

The complete set of 6 volumes.

The Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset were published as a series of volumes from 1888.

Each volume comprises 8 separate books, and each book has up to 50 fascinating articles relating to the two counties, amounting to hundreds of articles in total.

Published in 1861 and 'impartially written by George Pryce, F.S.A.', this book is described on the title page as 'A popular History of Bristol, antiquarian, topographical and descriptive, from the earliest period to the present time, with biographical notices of eminent natives and residents.'

John Latimer was the editor of the Bristol Mercury from 1858 to 1883 and was obviously a man who knew and loved the city with a passion.

The book contains fascinating information on all aspects of life in the city. Essential reading for those with Bristolian ancestors.

Published in 1906, this magnificent book tells the political, social, economic, ecclesiastical and natural history of Somerset from the time of the Conquest. It contains really in-depth sections on Early Man and Romano British Somerset, a translation and critical study of the Doomsday Survey and lists of land with the landowners and contents.

It is incredibly well illustrated with maps, photographs and beautiful drawings, making it an easy and fascinating read.

As far as we know this is the first ever History of Wellington. Wellington hasn't been the scene of many great battles or great commercial growth but as the author puts it is the secene of many more "peaceful triumphs". This is a thorough history of the place which describes the various names and spellings of the place, it's very early history, the town's manorial history and it's presence in Domesday, Civil War, Ecclesiastical, Nonconformist, Industrial and Modern history. It also includes many family and personal histories. Most useful to family historians will be the Baptisms, Marriages and Burials 1684 - 1812.

A must for those with ancestors from Wellington

The book discusses Bath's history stretching across Roman, Saxon and Danish times until 1801 when the book was published. It tackles the tales of the city's origins (previously embellished in Monk's histories of Bath) and describes how the waters first attracted people to the site. There are several chapters dedicated to the famous public baths and it's special mineral content, as well as detailed chapters on the Civil, Military and Ecclesiastical history of the city from very early times to the 19th century. Furthermore the book has descriptions of the city's parishes, hospitals, churches, police and courts all illustrated with maps and pictures.

A great book to get an insight into how historical events and circumstances affected the lives of your Bath ancestors.

The Bath Guide has the modern and ancient history of Bath and it's environs including, "every institution in the city which regards either charity, science or amusement, with observations on the virtues and use of the waters and all other particulars necessary to the Visitor or Resident. Embellished with an accurate plan of the city, a map of the country twelve miles around Bath and lithographic prints made expressly for this work"

The guide includes interesting little details such as the cost of visiting the baths, conditions of admission to hospital (if you had an ulcer or fever you were in trouble), it lists stage and water coaches times and destinations, it even has the times the post arrived. This guide will give you an excellent idea of what your ancestor's lives were like.

A comprehensive history of the town with chapters covering topics such as, Ancient State of the Town, Account of the Public Buildings and Charitable Institutions of Tauton, Civil Constitution, Trade and Manufactures, Political Transactions occurring in Taunton, Hamlets and finally the "Present State" of the town, which is of course in 1822.

Lots of fascinating information about the place and environment in which our ancestors lived. Particularly interesting to family historians will be the chapter on Tauton in the Domesday book. Lots of names and descriptions.

The original Gentleman's Magazine contained articles on a vast array of subjects, including lots of wonderful topographical pieces.

In 1891 George Gomme republished all of these topograhical articles but edited and indexed them into county specific order. Each of Gomme's works contains between two and four separate counties, except for the London volumes.

An absolute goldmine of information about the county, its people and its places.

A compendium set comprising all 15 volumes. Each individual book includes between two and four counties, with the exception of London which is in its own three volume set but is included in the compendium.

This is one of the most important resources that we have seen, and one that should be of great interest to all family historians. Published in 1772 it was the handbook of the duties and responsibilities of the Parish Officer.

It includes the duties of the overseers of the poor, the power in relieving, employing and settling, etc. of poor persons; the laws relating to the poor, and settlements, and the statutes concerning masters and servants. The right of Settlement was something that was of great concern to all of our ancestors. Basically, to be able to have right of settlement in a parish, one had to be born there, married there or serving an apprenticeship there. Proof was all-important, especially if a person became destitute and needed support from the parish. Parish officers would have people literally evicted and transported to another parish under such circumstances. What happened about bastardy? What obligations does an apprentice have to his master and vice-versa? This book describes it all, together with the supporting laws.

Other sections of the book include the authority and duty of constables, tithingmen, etc.; churchwardens, how they should be chosen, their duties, church accounts, repairing of churches, etc. There are some very interesting punishments for not attending church and keeping to the rules! There is a section on surveying the highways, Scavengers, methods of taxation of the highways, and laws. And finally, the duties and powers of Watchmen.

A wonderful collection of West Country maps.

Cornwall county maps 1695, 1814, 1831, 1837, 1844, 1856.

Newquay town plan 1909.

Devon county maps 1695, 1831, 1837, 1844.

Exeter town plan 1909.

Plymouth and Devonport plan 1896.

Somerset county maps 1695, 1831, 1837, 1844.

Dorset county maps 1695, 1831, 1837, 1844, 1849, 1927, 1931.