Kelly's Directory Of Sussex 1915

Kelly's Directory of Sussex 1915 - Digital Download or CD

Product Description:

Step back in time to the eve of the modern era with this fascinating republication of Kelly's Directory of Sussex 1915. Available as a high-quality digital download or on a convenient CD-ROM, this directory offers an unparalleled snapshot of life in Sussex during the First World War.

Whether you are a genealogist tracing your family tree, a local historian researching your town, or simply curious about the past, this directory is an essential resource. It contains hundreds of pages of detailed information, bridging the gap between the 1911 Census and the 1921 Census.

About the Format: This directory is a faithful reproduction of the original book, presented as scanned images in PDF format. Please note that the text is not inherently searchable. However, due to the alphabetical arrangement of the sections, navigation is intuitive and straightforward. Furthermore, many modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat and Edge) perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the fly, allowing you to search the text using your reader's built-in search function.

Why You Need This Directory: Filling the Census Gaps As any family historian knows, the early 20th century has frustrating gaps in the census records. The 1921 Census is the next major census after 1911, leaving a ten-year void where families moved, grew, and changed. Interestingly, the period surrounding the First World War saw heightened tension between the public and the government—mirroring sentiments we sometimes see today. There was significant distrust regarding data collection and conscription, leading many individuals to refuse to fill out census forms or to provide inaccurate information. Your ancestors might have been "off the grid" in the official records, but they likely still needed to advertise their trade or services in the local directory. If they missed the census, they are very likely listed right here!

Contents of the Directory: This comprehensive volume is divided into several key sections to aid your research:

1. Sussex Topography & General Information: A detailed history and description of the county, including its geology, agriculture, and main landmarks.
2. The Court Directory (Private Residents): An alphabetical listing of private residents, featuring the gentry, clergy, and prominent citizens living in the county at the time. This is where you might find the "big houses" and the wealthier ancestors.
3. The Trades Directory: A classified commercial directory listing businesses and tradespeople by profession. From Blacksmiths in Brighton to Grocers in Rye, this section is perfect for finding working-class ancestors who owned shops or provided services.
4. Town & Street Directories: Detailed street-by-street and alphabetical listings of residents for major towns and villages across Sussex.

A Glimpse of Sussex in 1915: Famous Residents and Facts Sussex in 1915 was a county of contrast, mixing its agricultural roots with the growing roar of industry and the quiet anxiety of the Great War.

• Famous Residents: While browsing the pages, you might stumble across listings for notable figures who called Sussex home. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, was living in Crowborough during this era. Rudyard Kipling, the famed author, was residing at Bateman's in Burwash. The directory captures these figures in their local context, going beyond their fame to show them as neighbors.
• Industry & Agriculture: The directory highlights Sussex’s famous "Garden of England" status, with vast entries for market gardening, hop farming, and agriculture. It also captures the industrial might of the coastal towns, including engineering and shipbuilding.
• Sport: Sussex County Cricket Club, founded in 1839, was a central part of county life. The cricket grounds in Hove are listed, and you may find local tradesmen who supplied the team or maintained the grounds.
• Music & Culture: Brighton, known as "Queen of the Watering Places," was a hub for entertainment. The directory lists numerous theatres, orchestras, and musical instrument dealers, reflecting the vibrant culture that existed even during wartime.

Important Note Regarding Maps: Please be aware that in the original publications, maps were often bound as separate, loose inserts. Over the last century, many of these maps have been lost from library and archive copies. We have made every effort to source complete volumes, but we cannot guarantee that a map is present in this specific edition. However, if the map was present in the source book we scanned, it is included here as a fantastic bonus to help you navigate the county of old.

System Requirements: To view this PDF, you will need a computer with a PDF reader. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems.