Tilley's Directory & Almanack Of Ledbury 1931 Census Substitute

Tilley's Directory & Almanack of Ledbury 1931: The Essential 1931 Census Substitute (Digital Download or CD)

Product Description:

Unlock the History of Ledbury in 1931

Are you struggling to trace family history in the gap between the 1921 and 1951 censuses? As many genealogists know, the 1931 Census for England and Wales was destroyed by fire during the Second World War, creating a significant "black hole" in family records.

Tilley's Directory & Almanack of Ledbury 1931 is the perfect solution to bridge this gap. This comprehensive directory serves as an invaluable census substitute, providing a snapshot of the town's residents, businesses, and civic structure at the dawn of the 1930s.

High-Quality Scans & Easy Navigation This product is a high-quality digital reproduction of the original book. The pages are scanned images (PDF format), preserving the look and feel of the vintage document.

• Navigation: While the text is not embedded (it is not a word-searchable database), the directory is organized alphabetically by surname and trade, making it incredibly easy to locate your ancestors by simply browsing the relevant section.
• Modern Compatibility: If you use a modern PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser viewers), many now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly, allowing you to use the "Find" function to search for surnames or street names, enhancing the usability of these historic scans.

What’s Inside the Directory? This Almanack is packed with detailed information about life in Ledbury during the interwar period. It includes:

• Official Directory: Listings of the Mayor, Corporation, Borough Magistrates, and local officials.
• Street Directory: A house-by-house listing of the inhabitants of Ledbury’s main roads and terraces.
• Commercial Directory: Classified trade listings, from bakers and blacksmiths to cider makers and shopkeepers.
• Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private citizens, a crucial resource for locating family members.
• Institutions & Associations: Details on churches, schools, charities, and social clubs active in 1931.
• Advertisements: Fascinating period advertisements for local businesses, offering a glimpse into the products and services available to your ancestors.

A Glimpse into Ledbury’s Past Ledbury in 1931 was a thriving market town steeped in history and agricultural tradition.

• Famous Faces: This era captures the town shortly after the rise of its most famous son, John Masefield (1878–1967). Though born in Ledbury and by 1931 the Poet Laureate, his family roots and the town's influence on his poetry remain central to Ledbury's identity. You may find relatives of the Masefield family or contemporaries who knew the "Sea Fever" poet during his youth.
• Industry & Agriculture: In 1931, Ledbury was the heart of the cider industry. Surrounded by Herefordshire’s orchards, the town was home to numerous cider producers and hop factors. The directory reflects this economic backbone, alongside traditional tanneries and nail-making which were historically significant to the area.
• Architecture & Landmarks: The directory describes the town dominated by the iconic Market House, a stunning timber-framed structure built in 1617, which stood as the center of commerce just as it does today.
• Sport & Leisure: The interwar years saw a rise in organized sports. The directory lists committees and secretaries for local cricket clubs, football teams (including Ledbury Town FC), and gardening societies, showing how the community entertained itself.

Important Note Regarding Maps: Please be advised that due to the age of the original source material and the fact that maps were often loose inserts, many original directories have missing map pages. We cannot guarantee a map is present in every edition. However, if the map is included in this specific scan, please treat it as a valuable bonus addition to your purchase!

Available Formats:

• Digital Download: Get instant access after purchase. No waiting for shipping.
• CD-ROM: A physical copy sent to your door, perfect for archiving.

Reconnect with your Ledbury ancestors today and fill in the blanks left by the missing 1931 Census!