Besley's Directory Of Exeter & Suburbs 1898-1899

Besley’s Directory of Exeter & Suburbs 1898-1899 - Digital Download or CD

Product Description:

Step back into the late Victorian era with this high-quality reproduction of Besley’s Directory of Exeter & Suburbs 1898-1899. An essential resource for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching the history of Devon, this directory offers a fascinating snapshot of life in Exeter at the height of the Industrial Revolution.

Whether you are tracing your family tree or exploring the history of your house, this directory bridges the gap between the 1891 and 1901 censuses, providing you with crucial residential and trade information for the turn of the century.

Navigating the Directory

Please note that this product is a digitized scan of the original book, consisting of high-resolution images. The text is not embedded or searchable in the traditional sense. However, thanks to the meticulous alphabetical organization used by Henry Besley, navigation is straightforward. You can quickly locate residents and trades by browsing the relevant sections.

Tech Tip: Most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly. This means you can often use the "Find" function (Ctrl+F) to search for surnames or street names directly within the software, even though the file itself is an image scan.

What’s Inside?

This comprehensive directory is divided into easy-to-use sections:

• Street Directory: A thorough listing of the head of households for streets within Exeter and the immediate suburbs, perfect for house histories.
• Alphabetical List of Private Residents: Names, occupations, and addresses of the gentry and residents of standing.
• Commercial & Trades Directory: Classified listings of businesses and traders, from bakers and blacksmiths to solicitors and surgeons.
• Official & Municipal Information: Details on local government officers, clergy, medical professionals, and public institutions.
• Advertisements: A delightful collection of contemporary adverts promoting local services, medicines, and goods, offering a vivid look at Victorian consumerism.

Historical Context & Census Gaps

This directory is an invaluable tool for filling the "census gap." If you have struggled to locate an ancestor between the 1891 and 1901 censuses—perhaps due to them moving, emigrating, or being missed by enumerators—this directory serves as a perfect substitute to confirm their presence and location in 1898/1899.

Local History: People & Places

Exeter in 1898 was a bustling city undergoing significant changes.

• Famous Residents: During this period, the city was home to Harry Hems (1842-1916), the renowned ecclesiastical woodcarver and antiques collector. His workshop in Longbrook Street was famous for producing carvings for churches across the British Empire, and he was a well-known character in the city.
• Industry & Economy: While Exeter retained its ancient character, it was modernizing rapidly. This was a peak era for the city's Printing and Publishing trade, alongside Boot and Shoe manufacturing. The Great Western Railway was also a major employer, connecting the city to London and the southwest.
• Sport: While Exeter City FC would not be founded until 1901 (originally as St. Sidwell's United), the city was passionate about Cricket and Rugby. The County Ground was a hub of activity, and local rowing clubs on the River Exe were incredibly popular social fixtures.

Important Disclaimer regarding Maps

Please be advised that due to the condition of the original source material or the binding of the archival book used for scanning, some maps may be missing or incomplete from this specific edition of the directory. We have endeavored to include all available pages, but purchasers should be aware that not all maps originally published may be present in this digital file.

Product Formats

This product is available as an Instant Digital Download or on a CD-ROM. The files are provided in PDF format, compatible with PC, Mac, and tablets.