Kelly's Directory Of Southampton & Neighbourhood 1888-1889

Kelly's Directory of Southampton & Neighbourhood, 1888-1889

Step back in time to the bustling, maritime heart of Victorian England. This is not just a book; it is a time machine. The Kelly's Directory of Southampton & Neighbourhood for 1888-1889 is your definitive key to unlocking the lives, homes, and workplaces of your ancestors who walked the streets of this great port city over 130 years ago.

Perfectly positioned between the 1881 and 1891 censuses, this invaluable resource provides a crucial snapshot that can help you break down those stubborn brick walls and add vibrant colour to your family tree.

What Secrets Will You Discover Inside?

This meticulously reproduced directory is packed with the details that bring a family history to life:

Street-by-Street Directory: Pinpoint your ancestor's exact address. See who their neighbours were and imagine the community they lived in. This is your chance to stand on the very street where they once lived.

Commercial & Trades Directory: Was your great-grandfather a shipwright on the docks, a tailor in the High Street, or a publican serving sailors? Discover their occupations and the nature of their daily work.

Court Directory & Private Residents: Find the more prominent citizens and private residents of the area, potentially revealing relatives of higher social standing.

Official & Local Information: Gain a deeper understanding of your ancestor's world. Learn about the local council officials, magistrates, clergy, doctors, and schoolmasters who shaped their community.

Local History & Institutions: Explore descriptions of churches, schools, banks, postal services, and transport links (including railways and ferries) that were part of their everyday lives.

Authentic Victorian Advertisements: Bring the era to life with fascinating period advertisements for local businesses, products, and services.

Who Will Find This Directory Invaluable?

Genealogists with family roots in Southampton or surrounding villages.
Local and Social Historians researching Victorian life in a major port city.
House Historians tracing the history of a specific property.
Writers and Researchers seeking authentic details for their work.
Don't just see your ancestors as a name and a date. See them as people living in a thriving, complex community. Let the pages of the 1888-1889 Kelly's Directory guide you home.