Kelly's Directory Of Ipswich & Neighbourhood 1930 Census Substitute

Kelly's Directory of Ipswich & Neighbourhood 1930 - The Essential Census Substitute

Product Description:

Step back into the vibrant era of 1930s Ipswich with this high-quality reproduction of Kelly's Directory of Ipswich & Neighbourhood 1930. Perfectly suited for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching family history in Suffolk, this directory serves as an invaluable "Census Substitute," bridging the critical gap between the 1921 and the 1951 Censuses.

As the 1931 Census was destroyed during the Second World War and no census was taken in 1941, this directory is often the only detailed snapshot available of your ancestors' lives during this specific interwar period.

Product Format & Navigation This directory is available as a digital download or on a CD. Please note that this is a scanned reproduction of the original book, containing images of every page. While the text itself is not embedded (making it non-searchable in the traditional sense), the directory has been meticulously compiled in alphabetical order. This logical structure makes locating specific streets, trades, or surnames intuitive and fast.

Tech Tip: Most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or browser-based viewers) now feature "OCR on the fly." This means you can often use the search function (Ctrl+F) to highlight names and places, though the accuracy depends on the clarity of the original print.

What's Inside: A Section-by-Section Breakdown This comprehensive directory is packed with data waiting to be discovered:

• Official Information & Directory: Detailed listings of the Corporation, Borough Officials, Magistrates, and Public Institutions. This section provides context on how the town was governed and the key figures of authority in 1930.
• Street Directory: An alphabetical list of streets in Ipswich, showing the head of household or business occupying each property. This is crucial for tracing exact addresses and understanding who lived next door.
• Commercial Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and professions. Whether your ancestor was a butcher, a baker, or a Cordwainer, you will find them listed here alongside their business addresses.
• Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the private residents of the town (mostly the middle and upper classes), often excluding the working class who are listed in the street directory. This is excellent for tracing family trees where specific occupations are known.
• Court Directory: Similar to the private residents section but often focused on the gentry and professionals of higher standing.
• Neighbourhood & Towns: Includes detailed directories for surrounding villages and parishes, such as Bramford, Claydon, Pinewood, and Sproughton, extending your research beyond the town borders.

A Glimpse of Ipswich in 1930 Using this directory, you aren't just reading names; you are uncovering the world your ancestors inhabited.

• Industrial Powerhouse: In 1930, Ipswich was a thriving industrial hub. The directory is filled with employees and executives associated with Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, the famous engineering works that dominated the town, manufacturing everything from lawn mowers to jet engines. You will also find references to the strong agricultural machinery and motor industries.
• Brewing Heritage: Look out for names associated with Tolly Cobbold and Cobbold Breweries, local brewing giants that were major employers and social pillars in the town during this era.
• Sporting Legacy: While Ipswich Town Football Club (founded 1878) was still playing at Portman Road in 1930 (they would not turn professional until 1936), the directory highlights the local cricket clubs and the thriving culture of amateur sports in the neighbourhood.
• Famous Faces & Connections: While searching, you may encounter the residences of notable figures connected to the area. Ipswich has a rich history of birthing great minds, including Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (born in Ipswich c. 1473) and the painter Thomas Gainsborough, who lived and worked in the town in his youth. By 1930, the town was home to the descendants of the great Cobbold family, famous for their brewing empire and their influence in politics and cricket.
• Cultural Life: The directory lists the New Theatre (now the New Wolsey Theatre) and various cinemas and musical halls that kept the town entertained during the jazz age.

Important Note Regarding Maps Please be aware that due to the age and condition of the original source books, some fold-out maps or street plans may have been missing or too damaged to reproduce. However, if the original map was present and in good condition, it has been included as a bonus feature in this digital/CD edition.

Why Buy This Directory? If you are looking for family in Suffolk in the early 20th century, this is an essential tool. It allows you to confirm residences, identify occupations, and reconstruct the community structure of Ipswich ten years before the outbreak of WWII.