Dorset, England, Quarter Sessions Order Books, 1625-1905

This database contains records of the Quarter Sessions from the county of Dorset, located on the coast of the English Channel in southwest England.

The records document Quarter Session judges’ decisions in matters that include settlement inquiries, highway rates, criminal trials, registers of settlement, orders of removal, bastardy examinations, apprenticeships, licensing, contracts, lists of justices, and other matters related to the business of running the county.

Some of the cases may span multiple pages, so be sure to use the arrow keys to browse surrounding pages to make sure you find all the records for your ancestor.