Society news

Transcription updates, journal announcements and committee notices. Members also get the important ones by email, about one a month.

2026

12 September · Marlcombe transcriptions added

The Marlcombe parish register transcriptions for 1813 to 1837 are now in the index, a little over 4,200 baptisms, marriages and burials. This completes the post 1813 run for the parish and closes a gap that had been open since 2019.

3 September · Autumn journal posted

On its way to members now. It leads on the Marlcombe work above, with a piece on what the 1813 change to the register format actually meant for the information recorded.

20 August · AGM minutes published

Minutes from the March AGM are in the members’ area, including the committee’s transcription plan for the coming year. Nether Marlcombe and Little Ashen are the priorities.

8 August · Surname exchange now searchable

The members’ interests index, which existed on cards from 1987 and in a spreadsheet after 2004, is now searchable online. If you registered interests before 2004 it is worth checking they came across correctly.

19 June · New transcribers wanted

Two long standing volunteers have stepped back and we are short of hands. No experience needed and we train you on the handwriting. See volunteering.

2 May · Record office photography day

Four members spent a day photographing the Hembury Cross registers. Roughly 900 images, now queued for transcription.

14 March · AGM and committee changes

Hilary Beare was elected membership secretary. Our thanks to Roger Vine, who held the post for nine years and is not leaving the society, only the paperwork.