Pike's Directory Blue Book Of Folkestone Hythe & Sandgate 1896-1897

Pike’s Directory Blue Book of Folkestone, Hythe & Sandgate 1896-1897 – Digital Download & CD Edition

Product Description

Step back into the late Victorian era with this high-quality reproduction of Pike’s Directory Blue Book of Folkestone, Hythe & Sandgate 1896-1897. An essential resource for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching the Kent coast during the height of its popularity as a fashionable resort and military garrison town.

This directory offers a fascinating snapshot of life just before the end of Queen Victoria’s reign, bridging the gap between the 1891 and 1901 census years.

Format & Usability

This product is available as a Digital Download or on CD.

• Scanned Images: The directory consists of high-resolution scanned images of the original pages, preserving the authentic look and typography of the 19th century.
• Searchable via OCR: While the book itself is not digitized as text, the alphabetical nature of the sections makes navigation simple. Furthermore, modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly, allowing you to search the document for specific surnames or street names.

Why You Need This Directory (Filling the Census Gaps)

As every genealogist knows, the 1891 and 1901 censuses leave a ten-year void where family members can move, pass away, or marry. This 1896 directory is the perfect tool to fill that gap. It allows you to pin down an ancestor's exact address and occupation five years after the 1891 census, providing a crucial stepping stone to finding them in 1901.

Inside the Directory: Section Breakdown

Pike’s Blue Books were known for their comprehensiveness. This edition includes:

• Street Directory: A detailed listing of streets in Folkestone, Hythe, and Sandgate, showing the head of household or business at each address. Perfect for tracing house history.
• Commercial Directory: Classified listings of trades and professions. Find out who built the wagons, who sold the tea, and who practiced medicine in the area.
• Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the prominent private citizens, the gentry, and professionals residing in the district.
• Official & Municipal Information: Listings of local council officials, magistrates, clergy, and public institution officers.
• Court Directories: Information on local legal and judicial figures.

Local History & Famous Connections

The Folkestone, Hythe, and Sandgate area in 1896 was a hub of activity.

• Famous Residents: This region has a rich history of famous figures. While William Harvey (discoverer of the circulation of blood) was born in Folkestone centuries earlier, his legacy was strong in the town. By this period, the area was attracting literary and artistic figures. H.G. Wells had strong connections to the area (living at nearby Sandgate's "Spade House" just a few years later in 1901), and the town was a regular stop for literary giants of the day.
• Noël Coward: The legendary playwright and actor was born in Teddington but spent significant time in Kent; however, Folkestone was the childhood home of Thomas Sidney Cooper, the renowned animal painter, who passed away in 1902 but was a prominent figure in the town's artistic life during this era.
• Industry & Transport: In 1896, Folkestone was a premier port. The South Eastern and Chatham Railway was the lifeblood of the town, connecting the harbors to London. The directory reflects the bustling maritime trade and the railway workers who kept the town moving.
• Military Presence: The nearby Shorncliffe Camp was a significant military establishment. You will find listings for military contractors, outfitters, and the families of soldiers stationed at this historic garrison.
• Sport & Leisure: The late Victorians were obsessed with sport. The directory contains references to the Folkestone Cricket Club and the growing golf scene, with the area's coastal views making it a prime location for the sport's expansion.

Map Disclaimer

Please Note: Due to the age of the original source books, fold-out maps were often removed, damaged, or lost over the last 120+ years before scanning. We cannot guarantee that a map is present in this specific reproduction. However, if the map is intact in the source we scanned, it will be included as a wonderful bonus!