Kelly's Directory Of Stratford West Ham Forest Gate & Plaistow 1889-1890

Step into the Victorian World of Your Ancestors: Kelly's Directory of Stratford, West Ham, Forest Gate & Plaistow, 1889-1890

Unlock the names, places, and stories from a pivotal moment in East London's history.

Imagine the gaslit streets and bustling industrial energy of late-Victorian East London. The clatter of horse-drawn carts on cobblestones, the smoke from a thousand chimneys, and the vibrant community life in the rapidly expanding suburbs of Stratford, West Ham, Forest Gate, and Plaistow. Were your ancestors there? Now, you can walk in their footsteps.

This meticulously reproduced edition of Kelly's Directory for 1889-1890 is not just a book; it's a time machine and an indispensable key for any genealogist or local historian with connections to this area. It provides a stunning, street-level snapshot of life at a time when these towns were the heart of the Empire's industrial and commercial growth.

Why This 1889-1890 Directory is a Genealogical Goldmine:

Bridge the Crucial Census Gap: This directory perfectly fills the void between the 1881 and 1891 censuses. If your family moved, a child was born, or a relative passed away in this period, this directory may be the only record that pinpoints their exact location in 1889.

Locate Exact Residences: Go beyond a parish and find the precise street and house number where your ancestors lived. Discover who their neighbours were and reconstruct the very fabric of their community.

Discover Occupations & Trades: Find out what your ancestors did for a living. Were they a dockworker in West Ham, a railway engineer in Stratford, a shopkeeper in Forest Gate, or a clerk in Plaistow? The directory lists occupations alongside names, adding rich detail to your family tree.

Reconstruct the Local Economy: Browse the comprehensive Commercial Directory to find the butchers, bakers, publicans, and blacksmiths who served the community. See the advertisements for local businesses, giving you a flavour of the products and services of the day.

Uncover the Power Structure: Identify local officials, council members, police constables, clergy, doctors, and schoolmasters. Understanding the institutional figures of the time provides invaluable context for your ancestors' lives.

What You'll Discover Inside:

Street-by-Street Listings: Private residents, listed alphabetically by street.
Commercial Directory: A classified list of trades and professions.
Court Directory: Lists of gentry, clergy, and other principal residents.
Official Information: Details on local councils, parishes, hospitals, schools, and transport.
Fascinating Advertisements: Period ads that offer a unique glimpse into Victorian consumer culture.

Who is this for?

Family Historians tracing ancestors in East London.
Local Historians researching the development of Newham.
House Historians wanting to discover the past occupants of a property.
Writers and Researchers seeking authentic details for projects set in the Victorian era.

Don't let your family story remain just a name and a date on a chart. Add this essential genealogical tool to your library and bring the world of your Victorian ancestors to life!