Kelly's Directory Of Dorsetshire 1895

Kelly's Directory of Dorsetshire 1895 - Digital Download or CD-ROM

Product Description:

Step back into the Victorian era and uncover the history of your family and community with this comprehensive repertory of Kelly's Directory of Dorsetshire 1895. Perfect for genealogists, local historians, or anyone with an interest in the beautiful county of Dorset, this directory offers a fascinating snapshot of life in the late 19th century.

Available as a convenient Digital Download or on a CD-ROM, this high-quality reproduction consists of scanned images of the original pages. While the text is not embedded (meaning it is not instantly searchable like a modern Word document), the directory is meticulously organized alphabetically by place and trade, making navigation intuitive and straightforward. Furthermore, modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) often perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly, allowing you to use the search function within your reader software to locate surnames and places with ease.

Bridging the Census Gap

This directory is an invaluable tool for filling the "ten-year gap" between the 1891 and 1901 censuses. If your ancestors seem to disappear or move between these census years, this directory allows you to pinpoint their exact location in 1895, discover their occupations, and identify their standing within the community.

What's Inside the Directory?

This extensive volume is divided into several key sections to aid your research:

• County Information: A detailed history and topography of Dorset, including statistics on agriculture, geology, and demographics.
• The Court Directory: A listing of the gentry, clergy, and major landholders residing in the county at the time.
• The Trades Directory: An alphabetical classified list of businesses and tradespeople. From Blacksmiths in Bridport to Wheelwrights in Weymouth, this section helps you understand the local economy.
• Parish & Town Histories: For each town and village, the directory provides a brief history, details on local churches and schools, and lists of private residents and commercial traders.
• Tourist & Travel Information: Details on mail coaches, railways, and carriers, illustrating how people moved around the county before the dominance of the motor car.

Dorset in 1895: Notable Residents and Facts

This directory captures Dorset during a time of transition, where ancient rural traditions met the coming industrial age.

• Famous Literary Figures: In 1895, the county was home to one of England's greatest novelists, Thomas Hardy. Having recently published Jude the Obscure, Hardy was residing at his home, Max Gate, just outside Dorchester. You may find references to his family or the local landmarks that inspired his works like Tess of the d'Urbervilles and The Mayor of Casterbridge.
• The Tolpuddle Legacy: By 1895, the legacy of the Tolpuddle Martyrs was well known, and the agricultural labor movement was still a vital part of Dorset life. The directory lists the landowners and farmers who employed the ancestors of many current Dorset families.
• Industry: While agriculture remained the backbone of the county (notably dairy farming and the production of the famous Dorset Blue Vinny cheese), Portland Stone quarrying was a major industry, supplying the stone for many of London's iconic buildings, including the Bank of England and Buckingham Palace.
• Sport & Leisure: Cricket was immensely popular, with the Dorset County Cricket Club active during this period. The directory lists the local inns and hotels where teams would gather after matches.
• Maritime Connection: With the Royal Navy presence in Portland Harbour and the bustling port of Weymouth, the directory is filled with sailors, shipbuilders, and merchants connected to the sea.

Please Note: Due to the age and condition of the original source book, a small number of maps or pages may have been damaged, torn, or missing prior to scanning. We have made every effort to ensure the highest quality reproduction, but please be aware that some map pages referenced in the contents may occasionally be absent from this digital edition.