Kelly's Directory Of Redhill Reigate & Neighbourhood 1899-1900

Kelly's Directory of Redhill, Reigate & Neighbourhood 1899-1900 (Digital Download & CD)

Product Description:

Unlock the secrets of your Surrey ancestry with this high-quality reproduction of the Kelly's Directory of Redhill, Reigate & Neighbourhood 1899-1900.

Spanning the twilight of the Victorian era and the dawn of the Edwardian age, this directory is an essential resource for genealogists and local historians. It serves as a vital bridge between the 1891 and 1901 censuses. If your ancestors seem to have vanished from the official records, look here! Just as we see debates surrounding government trust and data privacy today, many Victorians were deeply suspicious of the state and often refused to fill in census forms or were inadvertently missed by enumerators. This directory captures those elusive residents, tradespeople, and landowners right where they were living and working at the turn of the century.

Format & Usability: This directory is available as a convenient Digital Download or a CD-ROM.

• Scanned Images: The directory consists of high-resolution scanned images of the original pages, preserving the authentic look and typography of the Victorian era.
• Navigation: While this is not a text-searchable database (you cannot type a name and hit enter), it is incredibly easy to navigate. The directories are laid out alphabetically by surname and trade, allowing you to scroll directly to the section you need.
• Tech Tip: Many modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) now feature "Run OCR on the Fly." This means your computer can read the text from the scanned images, allowing you to use the search function within your reader software to locate names instantly.

What's Inside: A Breakdown of Sections

This comprehensive volume offers a detailed snapshot of life in Redhill, Reigate, and the surrounding villages.

1. Street Directory: A listing of the principal streets, helping you identify exactly which house your ancestors lived in and who their neighbours were.
2. Commercial Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and professions. From bakers and blacksmiths to solicitors and surgeons, this section paints a vivid picture of the local economy.
3. Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private households, listing the "heads" of houses. This is invaluable for tracing family lines that were wealthy enough to be listed or had established businesses.
4. Official & Local Information: Details on the Borough Council, magistrates, clergy, medical officers, and public institutions, including the Royal Earlswood Hospital (a significant institution at the time).
5. Advertisements: A fascinating collection of Victorian advertisements, offering insight into the products, services, and medicines available to your ancestors.

Census Gaps & The "Missing" Ancestor The 1899-1900 period is a notoriously difficult "gap" for researchers. The 1891 census is a distant memory, and the 1901 census was still a year away. During this time, civil unrest regarding privacy was high; many people believed the census was a prelude to taxation or military conscription. Consequently, they may have dodged the enumerator. This directory steps in to fill that void, providing proof of residence and occupation when official records fail.

Local History: The People and Places of Reigate & Redhill

This directory captures a region bustling with industry and leisure during the height of the British Empire.

• Industry: The area was famous for its Lime Works and Brickfields. The distinctive red clay and chalk of the North Downs fueled a massive building trade. You will find listings for numerous lime burners and brick makers who supplied the building boom of London.
• Sport: Reigate Priory Cricket Club is one of the oldest cricket clubs in the world, and the directory lists many local gentry and players associated with the club. Football was also taking root, with local teams beginning to form the foundations of what would become modern professional leagues.
• Music & Culture: The area was a popular retreat for London musicians and artists. The directory lists local music teachers, instrument sellers, and the assembly rooms where concerts were held.
• Famous Residents & Connections:
  • The Royal Earlswood Hospital: Previously known as the Asylum for Idiots, this was a pioneering institution. Dr. John Langdon Down (who identified Down's Syndrome) had recently been succeeded by Dr. Fletcher Beach, but the hospital remained a center of medical renown. Many staff members are listed in the directory.
  • The Garrison: Reigate was a military town with a strong presence of officers stationed nearby, many of whom are listed in the private resident sections.

Map Disclaimer: Please Note: Due to the age and fragility of the original source books, fold-out maps were often damaged or removed by previous owners over the last 120 years. We cannot guarantee that the original map is present in this specific scan. However, if the map is intact and included in the pages, consider it a fascinating bonus!