Cowdroy's Directory of Cheshire 1789

Cowdroy’s Directory of Cheshire 1789 - Genealogy & History Resource (Digital Download or CD)

Product Description

Unlock the history of your Cheshire ancestors with this fascinating republication of Cowdroy's Directory of Cheshire 1789. Perfect for genealogists and local historians, this rare directory offers a snapshot of life in the county during the late Georgian era, a full 12 years before the first national census of 1801.

Navigating the Past This product is a high-quality digital reproduction of the original book, consisting of scanned images presented in a searchable PDF format. While the original text was not embedded (meaning it is not instantly searchable like a modern Word document), the directory is alphabetically arranged by surname and trade, making manual navigation intuitive and straightforward. Furthermore, modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser viewers) increasingly feature OCR on the fly, allowing you to search the text directly within the software with a high degree of accuracy.

A Vital Census Substitute For family historians, the gap between parish registers and the 1841 census is notorious. In 1789, no national census existed. This directory serves as an invaluable "census substitute," placing your ancestors in a specific location and often listing their occupation—a critical piece of the puzzle for distinguishing between individuals with the same name.

What’s Inside the Directory? This comprehensive volume is divided into distinct sections to aid your research:

• The County History & Gazetteer: A detailed overview of Cheshire’s topography, ancient history, and seats of the gentry.
• Chester City Directory: A dedicated section for the county town, featuring a street-by-street guide and listings for prominent traders and residents.
• Town & Village Classifications: Listings for major market towns including Macclesfield, Nantwich, Congleton, Stockport, Runcorn, and Frodsham, as well as smaller hamlets.
• Trades & Professions: An alphabetical classified section allowing you to find ancestors by their trade (e.g., Blacksmiths, Weavers, Innkeepers, Surgeons).
• Private Residents: A listing of the gentry and notable homeowners (where applicable).
• Transport & Carriers: Crucial for understanding how people and goods moved around the county; lists the days coaches and wagons left for London and other major cities.

Cheshire in 1789: Life, Industry, and Famous Faces This directory captures Cheshire on the brink of the Industrial Revolution.

• The Silk Industry: You will find numerous references to the booming silk trade in Macclesfield and Congleton, which were already establishing themselves as the heart of the British silk industry.
• The Salt Legacy: References to the salt works around Nantwich and Northwich highlight an industry that has defined the region's geology and economy for centuries.
• Chester Races: Even in 1789, the famous Chester Races were a highlight of the social calendar; the directory details the local inns and establishments that catered to the crowds during race week.
• Notable Residents:
  • The Grosvenor Family: The directory lists the influential Grosvenor family (Earls of Grosvenor), ancestors of the modern Dukes of Westminster, who were pivotal in shaping Chester and Eaton Hall.
  • John Wesley: The great Methodist preacher was a frequent visitor to Cheshire during this era. While a traveling preacher, his influence is noted in the local chapels and religious landscape of the time.
  • George Ormerod: Though only a child in 1789, the future famous Cheshire historian (born in 1785) was living in the county, destined to later document the very history found in these pages.

Important Disclaimer regarding Maps Please note that while the original publication often contained maps, due to the age and condition of the source material used for this digitization, some maps may be missing, incomplete, or torn. Every effort has been made to include all available pages, but please be aware that map plates were sometimes removed or damaged in original archival copies prior to scanning.

Formats Available

• Digital Download: Instant access after purchase. Compatible with PC, Mac, Tablets, and Kindle Fire.
• CD-ROM: A physical disc sent via post. Perfect for those who prefer a physical backup or limited internet access.