The Post Office Directory Of Durham & Northumberland 1879

The Post Office Directory of Durham & Northumberland 1879: Unlock Your Ancestors' Victorian World

Step into the bustling towns and quiet villages of North-East England in a year that bridges the gap between two census records.

Imagine the year 1879. The North East of England is the powerhouse of the British Empire, its fate tied to the coal from the Durham pits and the shipbuilding along the Tyne and the Wear. In the shadow of Durham's great cathedral and Newcastle's vibrant quayside, your ancestors lived and worked. Now, you can open a window directly into their world.

The Post Office Directory of Durham & Northumberland 1879 is far more than a simple list of names. It is a comprehensive social and commercial snapshot, a genealogist's treasure map that leads you to your family's past between the 1871 and 1881 censuses.

What You Will Discover Inside:

This meticulously scanned and searchable digital edition allows you to explore the lives of your ancestors in incredible detail.

✓ Private Residents: An alphabetical list of the heads of households across the two counties. Find your ancestor's name, their occupation, and their specific town or village.
✓ Commercial & Trade Directory: Discover what your ancestors did for a living. Browse by trade (from "Auctioneer" to "Woollen Draper") to find family businesses and understand the local economy.
✓ Street Directories for Major Towns: For Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, and others, walk the virtual streets of 1879. See who your ancestor's neighbours were and build a picture of their immediate community.
✓ Court & Official Information: Identify local magistrates, clergy, doctors, and other prominent figures who shaped the society your ancestors lived in.
✓ Village & Parish Histories: Get a fascinating glimpse into the character of smaller communities, often with a list of key residents like the vicar, the schoolmaster, and the farmer.
Why the 1879 Directory is a Genealogist's Goldmine:

The ten-year gap between census records can feel like a black hole. A birth, a marriage, or a death could have occurred, and a family could have moved. This directory is the perfect tool to fill that void, helping you to:

Confirm a family's location in 1879.
Distinguish between individuals with the same common name.
Trace the movements of a family between census years.
Add rich context to your family tree with details of occupation and community standing.
Who is this for?

The Genealogist: An essential tool for breaking down brick walls and enriching family stories.
The Local Historian: Build a detailed picture of the social and commercial landscape of Victorian Durham and Northumberland.
Anyone with North-East Roots: A powerful connection to the heritage and character of this unique region.
Product Details:

Don't let your North-Eastern ancestors remain just names on a chart. Add this indispensable resource to your collection and bring their Victorian world to life!