Kelly's Directory Of Redhill Reigate & Neighbourhood 1896-1897

Step Back into Victorian Surrey: Unlock Your Ancestors' World with Kelly's Directory of Redhill, Reigate & Neighbourhood 1896-1897

Are your roots firmly planted in the Surrey towns of Redhill, Reigate, or their charming surrounding villages? Do you long to move beyond the names and dates on a census record and truly understand the world your late-Victorian ancestors inhabited?

Presenting a true time capsule: Kelly's Directory of Redhill, Reigate & Neighbourhood for 1896-1897. This is not just a book; it is a key that unlocks the front doors of your ancestors' homes, a window into the bustling high streets they walked, and a directory to the very community that shaped their lives.

Published at the height of the Victorian era, this indispensable resource provides a detailed social snapshot of the area, perfectly bridging the gap between the 1891 and 1901 censuses.

What Treasures Await You Inside?
This meticulously reproduced directory is packed with the details genealogists crave:

Private Residents Directory: A comprehensive alphabetical list of heads of household, their addresses, and often their occupations. Find your great-grandfather listed not just as a name, but as a "Grocer" on High Street or a "Carpenter" on Station Road.

Commercial & Trade Directory: Discover the economic lifeblood of the community. From blacksmiths to bakers, solicitors to seed merchants, see the businesses that served the town and perhaps find your ancestor's trade listed among them.

Street Directory: Walk the streets of 1896! This section lists streets house-by-house, naming the primary resident or business at each address. Perfect for locating an exact property and understanding who their neighbours were.

Official & Clerical Directory: Who ran the town? Find the names of local magistrates, council members, clergy, doctors, and schoolmasters, giving you crucial context about the power structures and institutions of the day.

Local Information & Advertisements: Immerse yourself in the period with fascinating details on postal services, carriers and coaches (before the motor car took over!), local taxes, and wonderfully illustrated period advertisements for products and services of the time.

Why This Directory is an Invaluable Tool for Your Research:

Break Down Brick Walls: Can't find a relative between census years? The directory could hold the clue to their location, confirming they were still in the area or pinpointing a new address.

Add Colour and Context to Your Family Tree: Transform your family tree from a simple chart into a rich story. Learn your ancestor's profession, their standing in the community, and the daily rhythm of their lives.

Build a Community Picture: See the interconnectedness of the town. Who was the local doctor your family might have visited? Who ran the shop where they bought their bread?

Trace Property History: For house historians, this is a goldmine for tracing the occupants of a specific building in the late 19th century.

More than just a list of names, Kelly's Directory of Redhill, Reigate & Neighbourhood 1896-1897 is your personal guide to the world your ancestors knew. It’s the next best thing to being there.

Add this essential piece of Surrey's history to your genealogical library and watch the story of your family come to life!