Mathiesons's Directory Of Tunbridge Wells & Tunbridge 1867-1868

Mathieson's Directory of Tunbridge Wells & Tunbridge, 1867-1868

Step Back in Time: Unlock Your Ancestors' Lives in Victorian Tunbridge Wells!

Are your roots anchored in the elegant spa town of Tunbridge Wells during the height of the Victorian era? Were your ancestors among the residents, tradespeople, or visitors who flocked to its famous Chalybeate Springs between 1867 and 1868?

Now you can walk the streets they walked and see the town through their eyes. Mathieson's Directory of Tunbridge Wells & Tunbridge for 1867-1868 is not just a book; it's a time capsule and an indispensable tool for any genealogist seeking to bring their family history to life.

What You'll Discover Inside:

This meticulously detailed directory provides a fascinating snapshot of the community, offering a wealth of information that census records simply can't provide. Inside, you will find:

Complete Residential Listings: A comprehensive, street-by-street, and alphabetically-arranged list of private residents. Pinpoint your ancestors' exact address and discover who their neighbours were—an invaluable clue for tracing extended family and associates.
Commercial & Trade Directories: A classified list of every tradesperson, merchant, and professional in the area. Was your great-great-grandfather a bootmaker on Calverley Road? Was your great-aunt a dressmaker on the Pantiles? Discover their occupations and the precise location of their businesses.
Official & Civic Information: Names and addresses of local officials, clergy, doctors, lawyers, and schoolmasters. Understand the power structure of the town and the key figures who shaped your ancestors' world.
Local Infrastructure & Institutions: Details on churches, schools, banks, railways, coach services, and public buildings. This provides the rich context needed to understand daily life, travel, and community involvement.
Fascinating Victorian Advertisements: Browse the original, often charming, advertisements for local goods and services. These ads offer a unique glimpse into the products, services, and aspirations of the time, adding colour and character to your family story.
Why This 1867-1868 Directory is a Genealogist's Goldmine:

Directories like Mathieson's are the key to unlocking the details in between census years. This volume is crucial for:

Bridging the Census Gap: Confirms where your family was living and what they were doing between the 1861 and 1871 censuses.
Breaking Down Brick Walls: Can provide the critical clue to an ancestor's whereabouts, a spouse's name (e.g., "Widow Mary Smith, Laundress"), or a change in profession that leads you to new records.
Confirming Details: Corroborate information found in other documents and build a more robust profile for each ancestor.
Understanding Social Standing: The distinction between a simple resident listing and a more detailed trade entry can provide clues about your family's social and economic status.
Recreating the Community: Genealogy is more than just names and dates. This directory allows you to reconstruct the entire neighbourhood, painting a vivid picture of the world your family inhabited.