Besley's Directory Of Exeter & Suburbs 1917

Besley's Directory of Exeter & Suburbs, 1917: Your Window into an Exeter at War

Step back in time to the pivotal year of 1917. The Great War rages across Europe, and in the historic city of Exeter, life continues against a backdrop of uncertainty, sacrifice, and resilience. Who were the people who walked its streets? Which businesses kept the city running? What was life like for your ancestors on the home front?

Besley's Directory of Exeter & Suburbs, 1917 is more than just a book of names; it is a detailed snapshot of a community under pressure. This invaluable resource for family historians allows you to move beyond birth, marriage, and death certificates and place your ancestors directly into the world they inhabited.

Inside this meticulously reproduced directory, you will discover:

A Complete Street Directory: Pinpoint your ancestors' exact address and see who their neighbours were. Walk the virtual streets of St. David's, Heavitree, and the city centre as they were in 1917.
A Comprehensive Commercial Directory: Find out what your ancestors did for a living. Search by trade—from bakers and blacksmiths to drapers and dock workers—and locate their businesses. This is a goldmine for understanding Exeter's wartime economy.
A Court & Private Residents Directory: Locate prominent citizens, professionals, and private residents, helping you trace the more affluent members of your family tree.
Official Information & Local Administration: Lists of councillors, aldermen, officials, clergy, and medical practitioners provide crucial context about the people who governed and served the city.
Authentic Contemporary Advertisements: Browse the pages of charming and informative ads, offering a unique and colourful insight into the products, services, and aspirations of the era.
Who is this for?

Family Historians tracing ancestors who lived or worked in Exeter during the First World War.
Local Historians researching the fabric of Exeter life during a critical period.
House Historians wanting to discover the past inhabitants of a specific property.
Anyone with a connection to Exeter seeking to understand their roots and the city's rich heritage.
Don't just read about the past—experience it. Add Besley's 1917 Directory to your collection and unlock the stories waiting to be told.