Kelly's Directory Of Southampton 1920

Product Description

Step back into the post-World War I era of Southampton with this complete digital reproduction of Kelly’s Directory of 1920.

Whether you are a genealogist tracing your family tree, a local historian researching the evolution of the city, or simply curious about Southampton life over a century ago, this directory is an indispensable resource. Because the 1931 Census was destroyed by fire and the 1941 Census was never taken due to WWII, this directory serves as a critical "census substitute," helping you bridge the gap between the 1911 and 1921 censuses.

Format & Navigation

This product is available as an immediate digital download or on a CD.

• Scanned Images: The directory consists of high-resolution scanned images of the original pages, preserving the authentic look and typography of the 1920s.
• Searchability: While the book itself is not digitally indexed, the directory is organized alphabetically by both Surname and Street, making manual navigation intuitive and straightforward.
• Modern Convenience: Most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly. This means you can often use the "Find" function (Ctrl+F) to search for surnames or specific keywords directly within the PDF.

What’s Inside: Directory Sections

This comprehensive volume is divided into easy-to-use sections:

1. Southampton History & Topography: A detailed description of the city's geography, civic history, and public institutions as they stood in 1920.
2. Civil & Ecclesiastical Directory: Listings for the City Council, magistrates, government officials, clergy, and churches.
3. Street Directory: An alphabetical list of streets in Southampton, showing the head of household or business occupying each property. Perfect for tracing the history of specific houses.
4. Commercial & Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private citizens (usually the head of the household) and tradespeople, along with their occupations and addresses.
5. Trades & Professional Directory: A classified list of businesses and services. Want to know who the bakers, builders, or shipwrights were in 1920? Look here.
6. Court & Parliamentary Directory: Information on local courts and members of parliament.
7. Neighbouring Areas: Includes listings for surrounding districts such as Bitterne, Sholing, and Itchen.

Historical Snapshots: Southampton in 1920

This directory captures Southampton at a pivotal moment in history. The Great War had just ended, and the city was transitioning from a war hub to a center of commerce and industry.

• The Birth of a Legend: This era marks the time when R.J. Mitchell, the legendary aircraft designer, was working at the Supermarine Aviation Works in Woolston. While he would not design the famous Spitfire until later in the decade, he was already making his mark on Southampton's burgeoning aerospace industry in 1920.
• Sporting History: Southampton Football Club (The Saints) had recently become a professional club. In 1920, they were playing in the Third Division South of the Football League, having just joined the league the previous year. The directory is a great resource for finding early players or club officials living in the area.
• The Gateway to the World: Even in 1920, Southampton was one of Britain’s premier ports. The directories are filled with references to the shipping industry, dock officials, and the railway companies that kept the city connected to the world.
• Post-War Reconstruction: The listings reflect a city rebuilding and expanding. You will find notices for builders, architects, and engineers fueling the housing boom of the inter-war years.

Map Disclaimer & Bonus

• Map Disclaimer: Please be aware that in some original archival copies, the fold-out street maps were removed or damaged prior to scanning. We have endeavored to include all available pages.
• Bonus Feature: If the original street map for this edition is present and legible in our source copy, it is included as a high-resolution bonus. This allows you to visualize the street layout your ancestors walked on over 100 years ago.

Unlock the secrets of your Southampton ancestors today. Add this essential primary source to your family history library!

Technical Details

• Format: PDF (Portable Document Format)
• File Size: Variable (optimized for web download)
• Compatibility: Works on PC, Mac, Tablet, and Mobile devices. Requires a PDF reader