Kelly's Directory of Chester City & Neighbourhood 1938 (Digital Download or CD) – The Ultimate Census Substitute

Unlock the history of Cheshire’s capital in 1938.

Step back into the late 1930s with this high-quality reproduction of Kelly's Directory of Chester City & Neighbourhood. This essential genealogy resource bridges the gap left by the missing 1931 Census and the restricted 1939 Register, offering a detailed snapshot of life in Chester on the eve of the Second World War.

Format & Navigation

This directory is available as a Digital Download or on CD. Please note that this directory consists of scanned images of the original book and is not a text-searchable database in its native file format. However, don't let that deter you! The directory is structured alphabetically by surname and trade, making it incredibly easy to navigate manually.

Furthermore, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) now feature "OCR on the fly." This means you can often use the search function (Ctrl+F) within the software to find names or keywords, even though the document is an image.

Why You Need This 1938 Census Substitute

With the destruction of the 1931 Census during the Second World War and the 1921 Census only recently becoming fully accessible, the 1938 Kelly’s Directory is a vital tool for tracing family movements between the 1920s and the post-war era. It allows you to confirm:

• Where your ancestors were living just before WWII.
• Their specific occupations and employers.
• The socio-economic status of the household.

What’s Inside the Directory?

This comprehensive volume is packed with invaluable data for genealogists and historians:

1. Chester City & Street Directory: A thorough listing of the streets within the city walls and the expanding suburbs, detailing the head of household at each address.
2. Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the private residents (often the "gentry" or middle class), which is excellent for tracing family lines.
3. Commercial & Trades Directory: A complete alphabetical classified list of trades. From blacksmiths to boot makers, find out exactly what your ancestors did for a living and who they worked for.
4. Official Directory: Information on local government officials, corporation officers, magistrates, and public health officials.
5. Neighbourhood Directory: Coverage of the surrounding towns and villages, including Saltney, Christleton, Handbridge, and Hoole, perfect for tracking families who moved just outside the city limits.
6. Local Information: Details on the Chester Cathedral, the Infirmary, transport links (trains and trams), and civic amenities of the time.

Chester in 1938: Local History & Context

To help you understand the world your ancestors lived in, this directory captures Chester at a fascinating crossroads between ancient history and modern industry.

• Famous Residents & Connections: While the 1938 edition lists thousands of residents, Chester has long been home to the aristocracy. The city is the seat of the Duke of Westminster (Grosvenor family), whose influence shaped the city for centuries. You may also find references to the families of John Douglas, the renowned architect whose distinctive Victorian-black-and-white style defined the city's look, whose legacy was still very much maintained in 1938.
• Sport: Chester was (and remains) a sporting hub. 1938 was a prime era for Chester FC (The Seals), who were playing at their iconic Sealand Road stadium. The directory includes details on local sporting clubs and societies. The city is also home to the Roodee Racecourse, the oldest racecourse still in use in Britain, which would have been a major social event in the 1938 calendar.
• Industry: While rooted in its Roman and Medieval heritage, 1938 Chester was a bustling industrial town. The directory lists numerous firms involved in engineering, shipbuilding (linked to the nearby River Dee), and agriculture, serving the surrounding Cheshire farming belt. The city was also known for its leadworks and aircraft manufacturing components which would ramp up significantly just a year later.

Important Disclaimer

Please be aware that the original publisher, Kelly’s, did not include every single map in every edition of their directories. While this volume contains a wealth of information, some maps may be missing from this particular 1938 reprint as they were absent from the source material used for scanning.