Websters Postal & Commercial Directory Of Bristol & Glamorgan 1865

Step into the Streets of Victorian England: Websters Postal & Commercial Directory of Bristol & Glamorgan, 1865

Unlock the world your ancestors knew. This isn't just a list of names; it's a time machine. The Websters Postal & Commercial Directory of Bristol & Glamorgan for 1865 offers a vivid, street-level snapshot of life in the heart of the Industrial Revolution. Perfectly positioned between the 1861 and 1871 censuses, this invaluable resource allows you to bridge the gap in your family tree, adding colour, context, and crucial details to your ancestors' stories.

(What's Inside? Key Features)
This comprehensive directory is a goldmine of information, meticulously organised for easy research. You will find:

Court Directory (Private Residents): An alphabetical list of the gentry, clergy, professionals, and other prominent private residents, often with their full addresses.

Street Directory: A detailed, street-by-street listing of the principal towns (including Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, and Merthyr Tydfil), showing the head of each household. Discover who your ancestor's neighbours were!

Commercial & Trade Directory: The most extensive section, listing thousands of traders, merchants, and artisans by their profession. From blacksmiths and bakers to solicitors and shipbuilders, find out exactly what your ancestors did for a living.

Official Information: Names and addresses of local officials, magistrates, police, clergy, and schoolmasters.
Local Information: Details on postal services, railways, coach carriers, and public institutions, painting a complete picture of the local infrastructure.

Period Advertisements: Fascinating illustrated ads for local businesses, offering a unique glimpse into the products, services, and language of the time.

(Who Is This For?)

Family Historians: Trace ancestors between census years, confirm addresses, discover occupations, and break down brick walls.

Local Historians: Research the development of towns and villages, the rise of industries, and the social fabric of Victorian Glamorgan and Bristol.

Anyone with Roots in South Wales or the West Country: Connect with your heritage and explore the communities where your family lived and worked.

(What Can You Discover?)

Pinpoint an ancestor's address in 1865, long before modern street numbering was consistent.
Confirm an ancestor's trade and see their business listed alongside their competitors.

Understand their social standing through listed titles (Gentleman, Esq., etc.) and the type of neighbourhood they lived in.

Breathe life into your family tree by imagining the sounds of the bustling docks of Bristol or the coal-filled air of the Rhondda Valley.
(A Glimpse Inside)

Imagine finding this entry: "Davies, John, collier, 32 Rowan Street, Merthyr Tydfil" and seeing that his neighbour was a baker, the pub on the corner was The Red Lion, and the local doctor lived just two streets away. This is the level of detail that brings history to life.