Kelly's Post Office Directory Of London 1960

Kelly's Post Office Directory of London 1960 (Digital Download or CD-ROM)

Step back into the vibrant, rapidly changing landscape of post-war London with a reproduction of Kelly's Post Office Directory of London for 1960. This essential genealogical and historical resource captures the city at a fascinating crossroads—where the lingering austerity of the 1950s was giving way to the dawn of the "Swinging Sixties."

Whether you are tracing your family tree, researching the history of your house, or exploring the social history of the capital, this directory is an indispensable tool. Available exclusively as a high-quality digital download (PDF) or on CD-ROM, you can instantly access a complete snapshot of London life over 60 years ago.

Navigating the Directory: Searchability & Format

Please note that this product consists of scanned images of the original book and is not text-searchable in its default state. However, do not let this deter you! Because Kelly's directories are meticulously organized alphabetically—by surname, street, and trade—locating your ancestors is highly intuitive and straightforward.

Pro Tip: Modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader DC) feature powerful "OCR on the fly" capabilities. If you are using a recent version of these programs, you can often use the search bar to find text within these scanned images automatically, combining the authenticity of a historical document with modern convenience.

Bridging the Census Gaps

Genealogists know the frustration of the UK census gaps. The 1931 census was destroyed in a fire, the 1941 census was never taken due to WWII, and the 1939 Register only covers the wartime population. Crucially, the 1961 census was accidentally destroyed and will never be released to the public. This makes the 1960 Kelly's Directory an incredibly vital substitute, serving as the closest possible record to that missing 1961 census.

What's Inside: A Breakdown of the Sections

This comprehensive volume is divided into highly useful sections:

• The Commercial Section: An alphabetical list of London's businesses and trades. Find out what your ancestors did for a living, from traditional tailors in Savile Row to the emerging tech engineers of the era.
• The Street Section: Every street, lane, and cul-de-sac listed alphabetically with the head of each household and business at that specific address. Perfect for house history!
• The Private Residents Section: An alphabetical list of the prominent and middle-class private citizens of London, along with their addresses and occupations.
• The Official & Institutional Section: Details of government offices, courts, hospitals, societies, churches, and public institutions operating in London at the time.

London in 1960: A Snapshot in Time

The year 1960 was a monumental turning point for the city. As you browse these pages, you are looking at the addresses of people living in a city undergoing a massive cultural and industrial shift:

• Famous Residents: Imagine looking up the addresses of the era's luminaries. 1960 London was home to Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, acting legends like Sir Alec Guinness and a young Roger Moore, as well as literary giants and rising stars of the British New Wave cinema.
• Music & The Arts: While the Beatles were still playing in Hamburg, London in 1960 was the epicenter of the British jazz and trad-folk revival. The legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club had just opened its doors in Soho the year prior, and the city's theatres were bursting with the "Angry Young Men" of British theatre.
• Sports: 1960 was the year Tottenham Hotspur became the first team in the 20th century to achieve the "Double" (winning the First Division and the FA Cup). You can find the home addresses of players and club officials within these pages, alongside the headquarters of legendary London football clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and West Ham.
• Industry & Economy: The directories reflect a city rebuilding and modernizing. The Ford Motor Company plant at Dagenham was one of the largest employers in Europe. You will find listings for the booming aviation industry, the remaining docks of the East End (before their eventual decline), and the countless small manufacturing workshops that fueled the London economy.

Important Disclaimer Regarding Maps

Please Note: Due to the age, condition, and original binding of these vintage directories, some fold-out street maps may have been missing, damaged, or removed from the physical copy prior to scanning. However, if the original maps are present and intact in this specific scanned edition, please consider it a fantastic bonus addition to an already invaluable resource!

Format Options

Choose the format that best suits your needs:

• Digital Download: Receive an instant download link upon purchase. No waiting, no shipping fees—start researching immediately.
• CD-ROM: Mailed directly to your door via standard post. Perfect for those who prefer a physical backup or have slower internet connections.

Unlock the secrets of your London ancestors today. Add Kelly's 1960 Post Office Directory to your cart and start exploring the streets of mid-century London!