Smith's Directory Of Maidstone & Environs & Topography 1839

Smith's Directory Of Maidstone & Environs & Topography 1839: A Time Machine to Your Victorian Ancestors

Imagine walking the cobbled High Street of Maidstone in the spring of 1839. The air is thick with the scent of horse-drawn traffic, market stalls, and the nearby river. The town is bustling with merchants, artisans, and families going about their lives. Among them could be your ancestors. Now, you can walk those streets alongside them.

Smith's Directory of 1839 is more than just a book; it's a portal to the world your ancestors knew. For the genealogist and local historian, this rare volume is an indispensable key to unlocking the lives of individuals in one of Kent's most important towns, right on the cusp of the Victorian era and two years before the first comprehensive census.

This meticulously reproduced facsimile places a wealth of information at your fingertips, allowing you to move beyond simple names and dates and truly understand the community your family was a part of.

Who Will Find This Invaluable?

Genealogists researching family lines in Maidstone and Kent.
Local Historians seeking to understand the structure and economy of the town in 1839.
Anyone with a love for Victorian history and a connection to this historic market town.
Discover the Riches Within:

Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the town's householders, complete with their occupations and street addresses. Perfect for confirming a family's location and social standing.
Classified Trade Directory: Find your ancestor's trade, from bakers, brewers, and blacksmiths to innkeepers, surgeons, and solicitors. See who their business associates and competitors might have been.
Comprehensive Topography: Delve into a vivid description of Maidstone itself. Learn about its history, its government, its notable buildings, and the parishes that shaped daily life.
Institutional Information: Discover details on local churches (with the names of clergy!), schools, banks, charities, and even the coaching inns that connected Maidstone to the rest of the country.
Why This 1839 Directory is a Genealogist's Goldmine:

It Fills the Pre-Census Gap: The 1841 census was the first to list all individuals in a household. This 1839 directory is your best chance of locating a family in the years immediately prior.
It Puts Flesh on the Bones: A census entry tells you where someone lived; this directory tells you what they did and who their neighbours were.
It Breaks Down Brick Walls: Stuck on a common name like "John Brown"? Knowing he was a "grocer on Earl Street" in 1839 can distinguish him from all others and provide a new research path.
It Provides Context: Understanding the parish your ancestor attended, the market where they sold their goods, or the school their children attended transforms a name on a chart into a living, breathing person.
Don't let your Kentish ancestors remain figures in the shadows. Let Smith's Directory be your guide into their vibrant, Victorian world.