Kelly's Directory Of West Riding Of Yorkshire 1881

Kelly's Directory of the West Riding, 1881

Imagine the gas-lit streets of Leeds, the clatter of looms in a Bradford mill, and the bustling market squares of Wakefield and Huddersfield. Now, you can walk those streets in spirit with this fascinating and detailed snapshot of life in the West Riding of Yorkshire in 1881.

More than just a book, this Kelly's Directory is a time machine. It's an indispensable guide for anyone tracing their family history, researching local history, or simply captivated by the Victorian era. Published at the height of the Industrial Revolution, this volume captures the West Riding at its most dynamic—a powerhouse of wool, textiles, engineering, and coal.

Inside this treasure trove, you will discover:

Comprehensive Street-by-Street Listings: Find the names, occupations, and addresses of private residents, from the wealthy mill owner to the skilled artisan and the shopkeeper on the corner.
A Complete Commercial Directory: Identify thousands of traders and businesses, from blacksmiths and bakers to solicitors and seed merchants. Perfect for understanding the local economy or finding a family business.
Official & Court Directories: Discover who held the reins of power. Listings for MPs, county officials, magistrates, clergy, doctors, and schoolmasters provide a unique insight into the structure of Victorian society.
Village & Town Histories: Read charming and detailed descriptions of the history, landmarks, and principal features of hundreds of towns and villages across the West Riding.
Fascinating Victorian Advertisements: Be transported by the original ads for everything from patent medicines to horse-drawn carriages, offering a vivid and often amusing glimpse into the priorities and pastimes of the time.
Whether you're tracing the footsteps of a great-grandfather in Halifax, researching the history of your home in Sheffield, or exploring the social fabric of 19th-century England, this directory is your key. Don't just read history—hold it in your hands.

An essential addition to the collection of every genealogist, local historian, and lover of Yorkshire heritage.