Bennett's Business Directory Of Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire 1898

Bennett's Business Directory of Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire (1898)

Unlock the World Your Ancestors Walked: A Time Capsule of Victorian Commerce and Community.

Have you ever found the names of your Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire ancestors on a census record and wished you could see beyond the statistics? To understand the village street they lived on, the shops they visited, and the people who formed the backbone of their community?

While Bennett's 1898 Business Directory doesn't list every resident, it provides something arguably more valuable: context. It's a detailed snapshot of the commercial and civic landscape in which your ancestors led their daily lives. This isn't just a list of names; it's the key to rebuilding their world.

What You'll Discover Inside:

This meticulously reproduced directory is an essential tool for any family historian with roots in these counties. Step back into 1898 and explore:

Comprehensive Trade Directories: Find every type of tradesperson, from the village blacksmith and baker to the draper, miller, and wheelwright. Discover who your ancestors would have gone to for goods and services.

A Complete Commercial Profile: Browse listings for banks, inns, pubs, hotels, and post offices. See the advertisements of the day, offering a fascinating glimpse into the products, language, and aspirations of the late Victorian era.

Local Officials & Gentry: Identify the key figures who shaped the community, such as parish clerks, constables, coroners, and local magistrates. These were the people your ancestors would have known and interacted with.

Town and Village Descriptions: Many directories include valuable topographical and historical information about towns and villages, painting a picture of the local economy, prominent landmarks, and transport links.

Why a Business Directory is a Genealogist's Goldmine:

Even if your ancestor was an agricultural labourer and not a business owner, this directory is indispensable for your research.

Fleshing Out Your Family Story: Go beyond names and dates. Discover the name of the pub where your great-grandfather might have had a pint, or the shop where your great-grandmother bought fabric.
Breaking Down Brick Walls: Can't find a family record? Use the directory to find the local solicitor, doctor, or schoolmaster. Their professional records might hold the clues you need.
Confirming Locations & Occupations: If you have an ancestor's occupation from a certificate, use the directory to see where people of that trade were operating, confirming you're looking in the right place.
Understanding Your Ancestor's Neighbourhood: The directory lists the businesses on almost every street in major towns. You can build a virtual map of who lived and worked near your ancestor's home.