Kelly's Directory Of Berkshire 1939 Wartime Census Substitute

Kelly's Directory of Berkshire 1939 – The Ultimate Wartime Census Substitute

Product Description

Unlock the history of Berkshire on the eve of World War II.

This high-quality reproduction of Kelly's Directory of Berkshire 1939 is an essential resource for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching their family tree in the early 20th century. With the 1931 Census having been destroyed by fire during WWII and the 1939 Register still subject to restricted access and closure rules, this directory serves as a vital "Census Substitute," providing a snapshot of residents and tradespeople just as Britain entered the war.

Format & Navigation This product is available as a Digital Download or on a CD-ROM.

Please Note: This directory is a scanned facsimile of the original book. The pages are high-resolution images and are not text-searchable in the traditional sense. However, due to the alphabetical arrangement of the names and trades, navigation is straightforward and intuitive. Tech Tip: Most modern PDF readers (including Adobe Acrobat and browser-based viewers) now feature "Run OCR" (Optical Character Recognition) capabilities. This allows you to search the text on the fly or copy-paste names into your notes with a simple click.

What’s Inside the Directory?

Kelly’s Directories are renowned for their comprehensive detail. This edition is packed with information that brings 1939 Berkshire to life.

1. The Court Directory (Private Residents) An alphabetical list of private residents across the county. This is the genealogical gold mine, helping you locate where your ancestors lived, their social status, and their neighbors.

2. The Trades Directory Find out what your ancestors did for a living. This section lists businesses and tradesmen by category (e.g., Bakers, Blacksmiths, Grocers) and by town.

3. Town & Village Histories Detailed descriptions of the major towns and villages, including local topography, civic amenities, transport links, and historical landmarks.

4. Official Information Includes listings for:

• County Magistrates
• The Clergy
• Public Officials
• Medical Practitioners
• Schools and Educational establishments

A Window into 1939 Berkshire: Interesting Facts & Context

This directory captures Berkshire at a pivotal moment in history. The county was transitioning from a rural heartland to an industrial hub, particularly due to the war effort.

• The Royal Connection: Windsor is prominently featured. In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) were in residence at Windsor Castle, and the Royal Family remained there throughout the war.
• Industry & The War Effort: By 1939, Reading had established itself as a major industrial center. The town was famous for the "Three Bs": Biscuits (Huntley & Palmers), Beer (Simonds Brewery), and Seeds (Suttons). The directory lists the key figures behind these industries. Meanwhile, Slough was home to the massive Slough Trading Estate, which was critical for wartime manufacturing and vehicle repair.
• Sporting History: Football fans will find references to Reading FC, who were playing in the Southern League at the time. The directory lists committee members and officials associated with the club at Elm Park.
• Aviation: Woodley Aerodrome (near Reading) was the home of Miles Aircraft, a company that would become crucial during the war for producing training aircraft like the Miles Magister.

Important Census Information

This directory is a critical substitute for the missing 1931 Census. While the 1939 Register was taken on September 29, 1939, it remains heavily redacted (records of people born less than 100 years ago are often closed). This directory bridges that gap, listing heads of households and business owners who were living in the county at the outbreak of the war.

Important Disclaimer Regarding Maps

While Kelly's Directories typically included detailed county and borough maps, it is common for original volumes to have had these maps removed by previous owners or lost over the last 80+ years. Please be aware that this specific reproduction may be missing the original map sections. The textual content, however, remains complete.

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