Stevens's Directory Of Maidstone & Neighbourhood 1885

Step into the Streets of Victorian Maidstone: Stevens's Directory of 1885

Unlock the lives, homes, and occupations of your Kent ancestors in this invaluable genealogical time capsule.

The year is 1885. Queen Victoria reigns over a bustling Britain, and the market town of Maidstone is thriving. For your ancestors, this wasn't just a date on a census record; it was a life of work, family, and community on the cobbled streets of Kent. Now, you can walk those streets alongside them.

Stevens's Directory of Maidstone & Neighbourhood 1885 is more than just a book—it's a key that unlocks the world your family knew. Bridging the crucial gap between the 1881 and 1891 censuses, this directory provides the rich, detailed context that turns names and dates into living, breathing stories.

What Genealogical Treasures Await You Inside?

This meticulously digitised and fully searchable directory contains a wealth of information, including:

Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the heads of households and their addresses. Find out if your great-great-grandfather lived on Earl Street or in the nearby village of Aylesford.
Commercial & Trade Directory: Discover your ancestor's occupation! Was he a baker, a blacksmith, a solicitor, or a publican? This section is organised by trade, making it easy to find everyone in a specific profession and uncover potential business partners or associates.
Comprehensive Street Directory: See who lived next door! This section lists streets house-by-house, giving you an unprecedented view of your ancestor's immediate neighbourhood and community.
Official & Clerical Directory: Identify the local movers and shakers. Find listings for the Mayor, councillors, magistrates, doctors, clergy, and schoolmasters, painting a picture of the town's social structure.
Local Information & Advertisements: Immerse yourself in the era. Explore fascinating contemporary ads for local businesses, details on transport links (coach and train times!), postal services, and public institutions.
Why This 1885 Directory is a Genealogist's Goldmine:

Break Down Brick Walls: Stuck on a common name? Combine a name with a trade or a specific street to pinpoint the right person.
Confirm & Enhance Census Data: Verify addresses and occupations found on census returns and add rich new details to your family tree.
Trace Family Movements: Did your ancestor move between 1881 and 1891? The directory may capture them in a location missed by the census.
Reconstruct Daily Life: Go beyond names and dates. Understand the shops your family visited, the pubs they socialised in, and the services they relied on.
Don't let your Maidstone ancestors remain just names on a page. Give them the address, the occupation, and the community they deserve.