The Post Office Directory Of Northumberland 1858

The Post Office Directory of Northumberland 1858 - Digital Download & CD Edition

Product Description:

Step back in time and walk the streets of Victorian Northumberland with this exquisite reproduction of The Post Office Directory of Northumberland 1858. Perfect for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching their family tree, this directory serves as an invaluable bridge between the 1851 and 1861 Census records.

While the 1851 Census provides a snapshot, the seven years that followed saw immense change. By 1858, families had moved, new trades had emerged, and the industrial landscape of Northumberland was shifting rapidly. This directory fills that crucial gap, helping you trace ancestors who were born, married, or vanished between census years.

About the Format: This product is available as a high-quality Digital Download (or CD-ROM). Please note that this is a facsimile edition created from scanned images of the original book. The text is not embedded in a searchable database format. However, the directory is organized alphabetically by surname and trade, making manual navigation straightforward and intuitive. Tip: Modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) often feature "Run OCR" capabilities, allowing you to search the text on the fly.

What’s Inside: This comprehensive directory offers a detailed look at life in the mid-19th century. It includes:

• Court Directory (Private Residents): An alphabetical list of the gentry, clergy, and prominent private citizens living in the county at the time.
• Commercial & Trades Directory: Classified listings of tradesmen and businesses, from blacksmiths and innkeepers to solicitors and shipwrights.
• Street & Parish Directories: Detailed listings for major towns and villages, including Newcastle upon Tyne, Tynemouth, Morpeth, Alnwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed, and Hexham, helping you pinpoint exactly where your ancestors lived and worked.
• Institutional Information: Details on local government officials, clergy, schools, and public institutions.

Census Context: This directory is the perfect companion for the 1851 and 1861 censuses. If you have an ancestor who seems to disappear between these two records, this 1858 directory may reveal where they had relocated. It is particularly useful for identifying the heads of households and confirming the ages (via status descriptions) and occupations of working-age males.

Notable Residents & History of 1858: Northumberland in 1858 was a powerhouse of industry and heritage. As you browse these pages, you may encounter contemporary figures who shaped the region:

• Industrial Giants: This was the peak era of the "Great Northern Coalfield." You may find references to the colliery owners and engineers who fueled the empire.
• William Armstrong (Lord Armstrong): Though his famed Jesmond Dene mansion was still being developed, Armstrong was already a rising star in 1858, revolutionizing hydraulic engineering and armaments.
• The 4th Duke of Northumberland: Algernon Percy was a prominent landowner and politician; his household staff would be listed in the domestic sections.
• Grace Darling’s Legacy: While the heroic Grace Darling died in 1842, her family and the memorials to her bravery were still a focal point of the region, particularly around Bamburgh.

Fascinating Facts about the Region in 1858:

• Railway Mania: The railways were transforming the county. The Newcastle and Carlisle Railway was fully operational, changing how people moved and how goods were shipped. You will notice a proliferation of agents and merchants related to rail transport.
• Music & Arts: Newcastle was establishing itself as a cultural hub, with the Literary and Philosophical Society flourishing.
• Sport: While football codes were yet to be standardized (the FA formed in 1863), rowing on the River Tyne was immensely popular, with professional scullers drawing large crowds.

Map Disclaimer: Please note: Due to the age of the original source material, fold-out maps were often removed or damaged in original directories before they were archived. While every effort has been made to preserve the content, we cannot guarantee the presence of the original county map. However, if the map was present in the specific source copy used for this scan, it has been included as a fantastic bonus to help you visualize the county boundaries and travel routes of the era.