Kelly's Directory of Buckinghamshire 1887 (Digital Download or CD)

Product Description

Step back into the Victorian era and uncover the history of your ancestors with this exact replica of Kelly's Directory of Buckinghamshire 1887. Whether you are a genealogist, local historian, or simply curious about the past, this directory offers an unparalleled snapshot of life in Buckinghamshire during the Golden Jubilee year of Queen Victoria.

Navigation and Format

This directory is available as a high-quality digital download or on a CD. The pages are scanned images of the original book, preserving the authentic look and feel of the 19th-century text.

Please Note: Because this is a scan of the original book, the text is not embedded or searchable in the traditional sense. However, the directory is structured alphabetically by town and by surname within the trade directories, making manual navigation straightforward and intuitive.

• Tech Tip: Most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) feature "OCR on the fly." This means the software can attempt to read the text on the image, allowing you to use the "Find" (Ctrl+F) command to locate names or keywords, though accuracy may vary depending on print quality.

Bridging the Census Gap

This directory is an essential resource for filling the "ten-year gap" between the UK Census records. It serves as the perfect bridge between the 1881 Census and the 1891 Census. If your ancestors moved, changed occupations, or got married between these census years, this directory may be the only record of those changes.

What's Inside the Directory?

The directory is comprehensive and divided into several useful sections:

1. County Information: A detailed history and topography of Buckinghamshire, including geology, agriculture, and main roads.
2. Court Directory: A private residential directory of the gentry, clergy, and major landowners (e.g., the Duke of Buckingham and the Rothschild family).
3. Trades Directory: An alphabetical list of professions and tradespeople for every town and village. From blacksmiths in Aylesbury to lacemakers in Olney, this section details the working-class ancestors often missed by other records.
4. Towns & Villages: Detailed street-by-street listings for major towns like High Wycombe, Buckingham, Slough, and Eton, as well as smaller hamlets.
5. Public Institutions: Listings for hospitals, schools, police stations, and churches.
6. Carriers & Conveyance: A fascinating look at how people traveled in 1887, listing the days and times coaches and wagons left for London and other hubs.

Famous Faces & History

Buckinghamshire in 1887 was home to royalty, industrialists, and political heavyweights. Within these pages, you may find references to:

• The Rothschild Family: By 1887, the Rothschilds were firmly established as the county's premier landowners. You will find details of Mentmore Towers and the estates of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild.
• Benjamin Disraeli: Although the famous Prime Minister died in 1881, his legacy and his home at Hughenden Manor are prominent features of the county’s social landscape during this period.
• The Duke of Buckingham: The Chandos family influence is still prevalent in the town of Buckingham and surrounding areas.

Local Industry & Facts

• The Chair Industry: High Wycombe was the heart of the British furniture industry. This directory lists hundreds of "Bodgers" (turners) and chair manufacturers, showcasing the town's dominance in this trade.
• Lacemaking: In 1887, the old tradition of pillow lace making was still a vital cottage industry in towns like Olney and Newport Pagnell.
• Sport: 1887 was a pivotal year for local sports. The famous Wycombe Wanderers F.C. was founded in this very year (originally as the North Town Wanderers), and the directory captures the early sporting clubs and associations forming across the county.

Important Disclaimer

While we have made every effort to provide a complete reproduction, please be aware that the original source volume used for scanning was missing the county map. Consequently, the fold-out map usually found at the beginning of Kelly's directories is not included in this digital or CD version.

Unlock the secrets of Buckinghamshire’s past today!