Kelly's Directory Of Stratford West Ham Forest Gate & Plaistow 1894-1895

Unlock the Doors to Victorian East London: Kelly's Directory 1894-1895

Step back in time to the bustling heart of late-Victorian Essex, now modern East London. The year is 1894. The clatter of horse-drawn carts echoes on cobblestone streets, the railway is transforming sleepy villages into thriving suburbs, and the air is thick with the promise of the industrial age. Now, you can walk those streets alongside your ancestors.

This is not just a book; it is a time capsule. The Kelly's Directory of Stratford, West Ham, Forest Gate & Plaistow for 1894-1895 is your indispensable key to unlocking the world your ancestors knew. Whether they were shopkeepers on Stratford Broadway, labourers in the docks of West Ham, or respectable families in the leafy avenues of Forest Gate, their stories are waiting within these pages.

What Treasures Will You Discover Inside?
This meticulously detailed directory provides a vivid snapshot of life and society at the close of the 19th century. It is packed with invaluable information, including:

Comprehensive Street-by-Street Listings: Find your ancestors' homes and discover who their neighbours were. These listings name the head of household and often their occupation, allowing you to reconstruct the very community they lived in.

Commercial & Trade Directory: Was your ancestor a baker, a brewer, an engineer, or a tailor? This section lists businesses and tradespeople by name and trade, giving you a direct link to how they earned their living.

Court Directory (Private Residents): A separate listing for the more prominent private residents and officials in the area, offering clues to social standing and community influence.

Local & Civic Information: Gain crucial context with details on local councils, officials, churches, schools, hospitals, police stations, and public transport. Understand the administrative world that shaped your ancestors' daily lives.

Fascinating Advertisements & Maps: Be transported by period advertisements for local products and services, from patent medicines to horse-drawn carriage hire. The included maps help you navigate the old street layouts, many of which have since changed beyond recognition.

Who Is This Directory For?

Family Historians: Break down brick walls! Find a missing relative, confirm an address, or discover a spouse's name. Add colour and context to your family tree with real-world details.

Local Historians: Reconstruct the landscape of Stratford, West Ham, Forest Gate, and Plaistow before the 20th century. Trace the development of roads, industries, and public institutions.

House History Researchers: Uncover the story of your home. Find out who lived there in 1894, what they did for a living, and what the neighbourhood was like over 125 years ago.

Social History Enthusiasts: Explore the very fabric of Victorian society. See the class structure, the dominant industries, and the daily life of ordinary people in one of London's most dynamic regions.
A Glimpse Inside...

Imagine finding your great-great-grandfather, a "Cooper," listed on a street in Plaistow. Picture your great-grandmother's family running a small grocery shop in Forest Gate. Discover the church where your ancestors were married, the school their children attended, and the pub where they gathered after work. This directory makes the past tangible.