ARCHIVISTS are seeking information on the most venerable families in Bournemouth for an “online museum”.

Michael Stead especially wants to find a “gold standard” family for the Streets of Bournemouth project.

This would be a family still residing here whose ancestors lived in the seafront heart of Bournemouth at the time of the 1841 census.

Martin, an assistant at Bournemouth Library, said: “At that time Bournemouth was basically an oasis of villas surrounded by a vast expanse of heathland.

“I have been told about a Tuck family from that time but when I try and follow up the information over the town I come to a dead end.”

Even if your history is not confined to the town centre, Michael wants to hear from you.

He wants family trees, records and photos, but most of all he wants stories to bring to life the history of the families and town itself.

Noted families from other parts of town include the Trokes, a family of artisans who lived in “almost every other house” in the Moordown, Winton and Redhill areas during the middle of the 19th century.

There were also the Bartletts, labourers from around Talbot Village, and the Marshalls, farmers from Holdenhurst Village and Throop.

The Streets of Bournemouth project will feature a detailed online map of the town, complemented by pictures, written memories and sounds.

Bournemouth University is using a £440,000 heritage lottery grant to create it for the 200th anniversary celebrations of the founding of Bournemouth in 2010.

• For more information or to contact Michael click here