Kelly's Directory Of Berkshire 1920

Kelly's Directory of Berkshire 1920 - Digital Download or CD-ROM

Product Description:

Unlock the history of your ancestors and the county of Berkshire with this comprehensive digital reproduction of the Kelly's Directory of Berkshire 1920. An essential resource for genealogists, local historians, and house history researchers, this directory offers a fascinating snapshot of life in the county just after the First World War.

Navigating the Past Please note that this product is a high-quality scan of the original book, meaning the text consists of images and is not embedded or internally searchable. However, the directory is meticulously organized alphabetically by both location and trade, making navigation straightforward. Furthermore, modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) often perform "OCR on the fly," allowing you to search the document using the Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F) function, significantly aiding your research.

Contents of the Directory This volume is packed with detailed information, divided into easy-to-use sections:

• County Information: A detailed overview of Berkshire’s geography, geology, agriculture, and administrative structures.
• The Court Directory (The Private Residents): An alphabetical list of private residents, featuring the gentry, landowners, and professionals of standing.
• The Trades Directory: An alphabetical classification of trades and professions. Whether you are looking for a baker in Bracknell, a blacksmith in Basildon, or a grocer in Great Shefford, this section connects you to the local economy.
• Town and Parish Directories: Street-by-street and house-by-house listings for major towns and villages, including names of heads of households.
• Clergy Directory: A listing of the clergy of the established church and various denominations throughout the county.
• Institutions & Transport: Information on county councils, magistrates, and railway timetables and carriers, showing how people moved around the county.

Bridging the Census Gap For genealogists, this directory is an invaluable tool for bridging the "Census Gap." The 1921 Census is the next major census after 1911, and while the 1931 Census was lost to fire and the 1941 Census was cancelled due to WWII, this 1920 directory provides crucial data on where your family lived and what they did for a living during the interwar period.

Local History & Famous Connections Berkshire in 1920 was a county of contrasts, blending rural heartlands with burgeoning industrial towns.

• Industry: This was the heyday of Reading’s "Three Bs": Biscuits, Bulbs, and Beer. The directory features the major employers of the time, including Huntley & Palmers (the world's largest biscuit manufacturer), Sutton’s Seeds, and the breweries like H & G Simonds.
• Famous Residents & Figures:
  • Reading: The town was home to prominent figures associated with the biscuit industry, such as members of the Palmer family, who were significant local benefactors.
  • Windsor: The directory naturally lists the royal household and the many officials and tradespeople supporting Windsor Castle.
  • Literary Connections: While Oscar Wilde had died in 1900, the shadow of Reading Gaol remained a significant landmark; the directory lists the prison officials residing on-site.
• Sport: Football fans will find references to Reading FC, who were playing at the Elm Park stadium during this era, competing in the Southern Football League.
• The Landscape: From the racing hub of Ascot to the rolling downs of the Vale of the White Horse, the directory captures the charm of historic market towns like Abingdon, Newbury, and Maidenhead.

Important Disclaimer Please be aware that the original source book from which this scan was created was missing specific maps. While every effort has been made to reproduce the directory in its entirety, the original fold-out maps of the county were absent and therefore are not included in this digital or CD version.

Product Formats This versatile product is available to purchase as a Digital Download (ideal for instant access) or on a CD-ROM (sent via post), making it a perfect gift or a permanent addition to your research archive.

Start exploring your Berkshire roots today!