Bennett's Business Directory Of Gloucestershire & Bristol 1898

Bennett's Business Directory Of Gloucestershire & Bristol 1898

Step Beyond the Census: Discover Your Ancestor's Working Life in Victorian Gloucestershire.

Census records tell you where your ancestor lived, but Bennett's Business Directory of 1898 tells you who they were in their community. Go beyond the simple names and dates and uncover the story of your ancestor's daily life, their trade, and their place in the bustling commercial world of late-Victorian Gloucestershire and Bristol.

This isn't just a list of names; it's a detailed snapshot of the county's commercial heart at the end of the 19th century. For any genealogist with roots in the region, this directory is an indispensable tool for adding colour, context, and concrete detail to your family tree.

Unlock the Secrets of Your Ancestor's Story:

Uncover Exact Occupations: Was your great-grandfather a bootmaker in Bristol, a draper in Cheltenham, a miller in the Stroud valleys, or a farmer in the Cotswolds? This directory provides their specific trade, giving you a powerful insight into their skills, social standing, and daily routine.

Pinpoint Business Locations: Find the exact street address of your ancestor's shop, office, or farm. This allows you to pinpoint their commercial footprint on a map, visit the location today, and truly walk in their footsteps.

Reconstruct the Local High Street: See the world through your ancestor's eyes. Discover who their neighbours were, who they bought their bread from, who they hired as a solicitor, and who ran the local pub. Build a vivid picture of their immediate commercial environment and community network.

Break Down Brick Walls: Stuck on an ancestor with a common name? Finding their unique trade and business address in this directory can be the key to distinguishing them from others and confirming you have the right person.
Understand the Local Economy: Gain a richer understanding of the area where your family lived. Was it a thriving

industrial hub, a quiet market town, or a rural agricultural village? The directory provides a complete overview of the local commerce, from the largest manufacturers to the smallest one-person businesses.
Please Note: As a professional and commercial directory, this resource focuses exclusively on tradespeople, business owners, farmers, and professionals. It does not include a comprehensive list of private residents. Its power lies in revealing the working lives and commercial presence of your ancestors.

Who is this for?

Family Historians tracing ancestors in Gloucestershire and Bristol.
Local Historians researching the development of towns and villages.
House Historians wanting to know who ran a business from a specific address in 1898.
Anyone with a love for Victorian social and economic history.