Kelly's Directory of Buckinghamshire 1899 (Digital Download or CD)

Product Description

Step back into the late Victorian era with this exact digital reproduction of Kelly's Directory of Buckinghamshire 1899. An essential resource for genealogists and local historians, this directory offers a fascinating snapshot of life in Buckinghamshire at the end of the 19th century, perfectly bridging the gap between the 1891 and 1901 censuses.

About This Format

This product is available as a high-quality Digital Download or on a CD. Please note that the directory consists of scanned images of the original book pages. While the text is not embedded (meaning it is not immediately searchable by typing in a name), the directory is designed with an alphabetical structure that makes navigation surprisingly intuitive.

Furthermore, if you view these PDFs using a modern PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat or the built-in readers in browsers like Edge or Chrome), the software often performs OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly. This allows you to use the "Find" function (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) to search for surnames and places, even though the file itself is an image scan.

Historical Context & Interesting Facts (1899)

Buckinghamshire in 1899 was a county of contrasts, blending ancient market towns with the burgeoning industrial revolution.

• The Furniture Industry: High Wycombe was the undisputed capital of the furniture trade, specifically famous for the "Windsor Chair." In 1899, the town was bustling with factories and workshops, and the scent of sawdust and varnish was omnipresent.
• The Rothschild Influence: By the turn of the century, the Rothschild family had become integral to the county's landscape. You will find references to their vast estates, including Waddesdon Manor (built in the style of a French Renaissance château) and Ascott House.
• Literary Connections: The directory covers areas steeped in literary history. Chalfont St Giles was the home of John Milton during the Great Plague of London, where he completed Paradise Lost, and the cottage was a point of local pride even in 1899.
• Sporting Heritage: Cricket was the dominant sport of the day, with village greens hosting matches that were central to community life.
• The Roaring Railways: The Metropolitan Railway was expanding into the Chilterns during this period, beginning to transform rural villages like Amersham and Chesham into commuter towns for London.

Census Research

For genealogists, this directory is a vital tool for "filling in the blanks." It falls precisely midway between the 1891 and 1901 Censuses. If you have lost track of an ancestor between these two census years, this directory can confirm if they were still living in the same village or if they had moved to a new trade or address. It often lists residents who were missed by census enumerators or who moved shortly before/after census night.

What's Inside the Directory?

Kelly’s Directories are renowned for their comprehensive detail. This edition typically contains the following sections:

1. General Information & Topography: A detailed history and description of the county, its geology, agriculture, and parliamentary representation.
2. Court Directory (Private Residents): An alphabetical list of private residents (gentry, clergy, and professionals) living in the county at the time.
3. Commercial Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and professions. Want to find a blacksmith in Aylesbury or a baker in Buckingham? This section organizes residents by their job.
4. Town & Village Directories: Street-by-street or house-by-house listings for major towns and villages, including:
   • Aylesbury (The County Town)
   • High Wycombe
   • Buckingham
   • Chesham
   • Beaconsfield
   • Eton (famous for its college)
   • Slough (rapidly growing due to the railway and brick-making industry)
   • Marlow and Windsor areas.

Important Disclaimer

Please be aware that in the original 1899 publication, some maps were occasionally bound loosely or were omitted in various editions. While every effort has been made to provide a complete scan, some original maps may be missing or damaged from this digital copy.

Unlock the history of your Buckinghamshire ancestors today!