The idea for the Dorset Migration database arose from researches for our Hemp and Flax project which started in 1999 and was exhibited throughout the year 2000. Although it was generally known that there been a depopulation of some Dorset parishes, it was only when we were looking for the descendants of the late 18th century growers of Hemp and Flax in the county that we began to appreciate the very large extent of this depopulation. It has been estimated that something like 100,000 people were 'missing' from Dorset by the end of the nineteenth century. Many readers of this page may be in a position to tell us what happened to large numbers of these 'lost' people. Where did these people go? Various sources tell us in general terms that many people migrated from Dorset, both to other parts of the United Kingdom as well as overseas. However there is virtually no precise information either on the actual numbers involved or on the distribution patterns of their migration. The West Dorset Research Centre has now embarked on collecting information for a Dorset Migration Index which, it is hoped, will go some way to finding answers to these questions. This database will contain details of those who left Dorset, up to 1930, to migrate both to other parts of the UK and overseas. It isn't only your direct ancestors about whom we are seeking information, you may have come across someone else during your researches and we would like to hear about them too. Please tell us as much as you can about your Dorset migrants, who they were, where and when they migrated and why. Submit information with our online form... | 
