The Post Office Directory Of Edinburgh & Leith 1918-1919

Step into Post-War Edinburgh: Unlock Your Ancestors' World in the 1918-1919 Post Office Directory

The perfect bridge between the 1911 and 1921 censuses. Discover the names, addresses, and lives of your family in a world emerging from the Great War.

The year is 1918. The Armistice has been signed, and the city of Edinburgh and Leith is breathing a collective sigh of relief, yet grappling with profound change. Soldiers are returning home, women are in roles they never held before, and a new chapter of history is being written on the ancient cobblestone streets. Now, you can hold a piece of that pivotal time in your hands. The Post Office Directory of Edinburgh & Leith for 1918-1919 is more than a book of names; it's a time capsule that places your ancestors directly into the fabric of their world at this extraordinary moment.

What You'll Discover Inside:
This meticulously scanned and fully searchable digital edition is a genealogist's goldmine, providing a detailed snapshot of the city's residents and infrastructure.

Alphabetical List of Private Residents: Find your ancestors by name, with their full address and often their occupation or profession. The key to locating them between census years.
Comprehensive Street Directory: See the exact house your family lived in! Discover who their neighbours were, the makeup of their community, and the local businesses they frequented.
Commercial & Trades Directory: Was your great-grandfather a baker, a stonemason, or a clerk? This section lists businesses and tradespeople by profession, offering incredible insight into your ancestor's daily work and economic standing.
Official & Municipal Information: Uncover details about the city's governance, courts, churches, schools, hospitals, and public officials. Add rich context to the environment your family knew.
Vivid Contemporary Advertisements: Be transported back in time with authentic advertisements for everything from tea and tobacco to motor cars and medicines. These charming ads add colour, personality, and a fascinating glimpse into the consumer world of 1918.
Why This 1918-1919 Edition is Essential for Your Research:

The Ultimate Census Substitute: With the 1911 Census a distant memory and the 1921 Census the next official record, this directory is critical for tracking family movement and changes during a ten-year gap.
Pinpoint the Post-War Story: Did your ancestor return from the trenches? Did a widow take over a family business? This directory captures the "before" and "after" of the Great War, helping you understand its direct impact on your family.
Break Down Brick Walls: Stuck on a common name like "John Brown"? Use their unique address, profession, and neighbours to distinguish them from others and confirm you have the right person.
Add Life to Your Family Tree: Go beyond names and dates. Transform your family history from a simple chart into a living, breathing story of real people in a real place at a pivotal time in history.