Kelly's Directory Of Birmingham & Smethwick 1933

Kelly's Directory of Birmingham & Smethwick 1933

Imagine the bustling streets of Birmingham, the hum of industry in Smethwick, and the daily lives of thousands of residents, all frozen in a single moment in time. This meticulously reproduced facsimile of Kelly's Directory for 1933 is your personal key to that world.

More than just a list of names and addresses, this directory is a vibrant time capsule. It captures a city on the cusp of modernity, still bearing the architectural and social imprint of the Victorian era, yet hurtling towards a new future. Whether you're tracing the footsteps of an ancestor or exploring the foundations of a city you love, this book offers an unparalleled connection to the past.

What's Inside? A Treasure Trove of Information:

Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of thousands of householders, complete with their occupations and addresses. Find out if your great-grandfather was a brassfounder in Balsall Heath or a clerk in Kings Norton.
Street Directory: A complete, house-by-house survey of Birmingham and Smethwick. Walk down a virtual version of Corporation Street or the Smethwick High Street as it was in 1933, discovering who lived next door and what shops lined the road.
Commercial & Trades Directory: The definitive guide to the city's economic life. Find every baker, butcher, motor engineer, and manufacturer. See the industrial powerhouses that made the "Workshop of the World" famous.
Official Information & Court Directory: Details on local council officials, magistrates, clergy, doctors, and schoolmasters, providing a clear picture of the city's governance and social structure.
Evocative Advertisements: Original period advertisements for everything from local breweries to national brands, offering a fascinating glimpse into the products, fashions, and aspirations of the day.
An Indispensable Resource For:

Family Historians: Trace your ancestors, confirm addresses, and discover their professions.
Local Historians: Research the development of neighbourhoods, the rise and fall of local businesses, and the social fabric of the community.
Social & Economic Researchers: Gain primary source insight into urban life, industry, and commerce in interwar Britain.
Anyone with a Love for Birmingham: A nostalgic and revealing journey into the city's rich heritage.