Given the absence of records from this period, including no 1941 Census, directories really come into their own. With the main sections split between residential and trade listings of those living and working in Dorset in the lead-up to World War II, as well as indexes for separate towns and villages, it really is easy to find who you're looking for, where they were living and working, and glean a picture of their lives at the time. There's also additional lists of council members and Justices of the Peace.
Use it for: Finding Dorset family in 1939
Publisher: S&N Genealogy Supplies
Price: £16.95