Besley's Directory Of Exeter & Suburbs 1918

Unlock Your Exeter Ancestors' World: Besley's Directory 1918

Step back in time to a pivotal moment in history. The year is 1918. The Great War has just ended, and the city of Exeter, like the rest of the world, stands on the cusp of a new era. Soldiers are returning home, social structures are shifting, and life is slowly returning to a new kind of normal.

For the family historian, this directory is not just a list of names; it's a time capsule. It's the key to unlocking the day-to-day lives of your ancestors who lived through this extraordinary period.

What secrets will you discover inside Besley's Directory of Exeter & Suburbs 1918?

This invaluable resource provides a rich, detailed snapshot of Exeter and its surrounding communities at the close of WWI. Within its pages, you will find:

Comprehensive Resident Listings: Find your ancestors by name. Discover their address and, in many cases, their occupation or trade. Was your great-grandfather a grocer on Fore Street, a clerk in the city, or a stonemason helping rebuild the post-war city?
Detailed Trade & Professional Directory: A complete classified commercial directory. Perfect for locating family businesses, understanding the local economy, and seeing the network of services available to your ancestors—from the baker who supplied their bread to the doctor who tended their families.
Street-by-Street Guide: The reverse of the resident list! Trace your family's address and see who their neighbours were. Build a picture of their community, their social standing, and the character of their street.
Official & Civic Information: A complete listing of Exeter's city officials, council members, police, clergy, and public institutions (schools, hospitals, charities). This provides the crucial civic context for your ancestors' lives.
Fascinating Advertisements: Explore period advertisements that bring the era to life. See the products they bought, the medicines they trusted, and the local businesses that formed the backdrop of their daily existence. You might even find an ad for your own family's shop!
Why is the 1918 Edition so Special for Genealogists?
This isn't just any directory. The 1918 edition captures a unique moment of transition. You are looking at a city marked by the shadow of war. You can find the names of men who have just returned from the trenches, women who may have taken on new roles during the war years, and a community in the process of healing and rebuilding. It’s the perfect bridge between the Victorian/Edwardian era and the modern age.

Who is this for?
Family Historians with roots in Exeter or its suburbs.
House History Researchers tracing the story of a specific property.
Local History Enthusiasts and students wanting to understand post-WWI Exeter.
Anyone looking to connect with the lives and stories of their Devon ancestors.