As other listers have stated, the only Bishop Transcripts are from 1802 or so it says on the LDS film which I have looked at previously for my relations in Poole. BUT the transcripted pages are of very poor quality and very muddled for approx. the first 20 yrs and many entries are illegible. After that they are quite good. There are no BT prior to those dates. As another lister stated FindMyPast would be your best chance unless you ever travel to Dorchester and the Records centre. Sorry, cannot be of more help. > Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2010 09:20:05 -0230 > From: dapike@mun.ca > To: dorset@rootsweb.com > Subject: [DOR] Bishops Transcripts for Poole ? > > > > Does anybody happen to know if Bishops Transcripts exist for Poole (St > James), and if so, where might they be? > > Many of the pre-1700 entries in the parish register are lost (numerous > pages appear to have been destroyed by mould), so I'm hoping that BTs > might still preserve the information. > > Thanks, > > - David. > > > *************************************** > > When replying to this message, please spare a thought for your fellow list members, and anyone searching the archives in the future. SNIP everything which is not essential for comprehension or continuity (including the footers which will be put back anyway!) > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to DORSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

First let me say thanks to everybody who responded with such helpful comments and advice. I sent an email message to the Wiltshire & Swindon Archives to confirm just what they have for Poole, and have received the following response: "The BTs cover the years 1802-1880 (mariages to 1837)" So unfortunately it appears that early (such as pre-1700) Bishops Transcripts for Poole do not survive. - David.