Kelly's Directory Of Chester City & Neighbourhood 1938

Kelly's Directory of Chester City & Neighbourhood, 1938 Your Time Capsule to Pre-War Britain

Step back in time to the autumn of 1938. The world holds its breath, but in the historic city of Chester, life goes on. The trams rumble along the Groves, shopkeepers arrange their wares, and families gather in the Rows. Now, you can walk those streets again with this meticulously detailed reproduction of Kelly's Directory.

More than just a list of names and addresses, this directory is a living portrait of a city on the cusp of profound change. It is the ultimate key to unlocking the Chester your ancestors knew, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the fabric of daily life just before the outbreak of WWII.

What you'll discover within these pages:

The People: Find your relatives in the private residents' section, complete with their occupations. Discover who their neighbours were and the social tapestry of their community.
The Places: Explore Chester street by street. See who lived in your house, what shop was on the corner, and how the city's layout has changed (or stayed the same).
The Professions: From the Town Clerk to the tailors, bakers, and blacksmiths, the commercial directory is a complete guide to the city's economic heart.
The Institutions: A complete record of officialdom, including the city council, the police, medical practitioners, schools, and places of worship.
The Advertisements: A delightful collection of period ads for motor cars, fashions, local breweries, and forgotten services, offering a charming and authentic flavour of the era.
Who is this for?

Genealogists: Trace your Chester family tree, add context to your ancestors' lives, and break down brick walls.
Local & House Historians: Research the history of a specific building, street, or business with precision.
Social Historians: Gain invaluable insight into the social structure, occupations, and daily life in a provincial English city in the late 1930s.
Anyone with a Passion for Chester: Reconnect with the city's past and rediscover its forgotten corners and cherished landmarks