Whellan's Directory History & Topography Of Durham 1856

Unlock the Stories of Your Victorian Durham Ancestors (1856)

Are your roots deep in the historic county of Durham? Do you wonder what life was really like for your ancestors in the mid-19th century, as the industrial revolution reshaped the landscape and its people? Stop seeing them as just names on a census form and start seeing them in their world.

Whellan's History, Topography, and Directory of the County Palatine of Durham (1856) is not just a book; it's a time machine. This is your essential key to unlocking the vibrant, bustling, and sometimes harsh reality of life in Victorian County Durham, right between the 1851 and 1861 censuses.

More Than Names—Discover the Context of Their Lives.

This indispensable volume is a genealogical goldmine, providing the rich, detailed context that turns a family tree into a living, breathing family story. Within its pages, you will find:

Comprehensive Trades & Professional Directories: Was your ancestor a coal miner in Hetton, a shipwright in Sunderland, a draper in Durham City, or a farmer in Teesdale? Find them listed by name and trade, often with their
specific street address. This is the single best way to confirm an occupation and location between census years.

Detailed Street-by-Street Listings for Major Towns: Walk down the streets of 1856 Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, and South Shields. See who your ancestor's neighbours were, the names of the pubs on the corner, the shops they visited, and the businesses that formed the heart of their community.

Village & Parish Histories: Go beyond the towns. Discover the history, landowners, and key residents of the smallest Durham villages. Learn about the local church, the schoolmaster, and the innkeeper—figures who would have known your family by name.

In-Depth Local History & Topography: Understand the why behind your ancestor's life. The detailed topographical descriptions explain the physical landscape—the hills, valleys, rivers, and coast—that shaped their daily existence. The historical sections tell the story of the great families, ancient castles, and industrial developments that defined the era.

Who Will You Find Inside?

Imagine discovering:

Your great-great-grandfather, a coal viewer, listed alongside his colleagues, giving you a direct link to his professional life.

Your great-great-grandmother's family, the bakers on a specific street in Bishop Auckland, their shop a cornerstone of the local community.

The local innkeeper where your agricultural labourer ancestor might have gathered after a long day's work.
The clergyman who baptized your ancestors and recorded their rites of passage.
The Lord of the Manor who employed your ancestors on his vast estate.

Don't let your ancestors remain just names and dates.

Add this essential volume to your genealogy library and bring the world of your Victorian Durham ancestors to life. Order your copy today and step back into 1856.