Bury County Borough Directory 1936 - Digital Download & CD Edition

Step back in time and explore the streets, homes, and businesses of Bury as they stood in 1936.

This invaluable resource for genealogists and local historians offers a complete snapshot of the Bury County Borough during the inter-war period. Whether you are tracing your family tree, researching the history of your house, or fascinated by the social history of Lancashire, this directory provides the window into the past you need.

Available as a high-quality Digital Download (PDF) or on a physical CD-ROM.

Note on Searchability & Navigation

Please be aware that this directory is a digitized version of a scanned book. It consists of high-resolution images of the original pages and is not a text-searchable database in the traditional sense.

However, navigation is surprisingly easy!

• Alphabetical Order: The directory is organized alphabetically by surname and street name, allowing you to locate your ancestors quickly by scrolling to the relevant section.
• Modern PDF Readers: Most modern PDF readers (including Adobe Acrobat and browser viewers) now feature "OCR on the fly." This means the software attempts to read the text on the image, allowing you to use the "Find" (Ctrl+F) command to search for surnames or keywords with a high degree of success.

Bridging the Census Gaps

For genealogists, the 1930s present a unique challenge. The 1931 Census was destroyed during the Second World War, and there was no census taken in 1941 due to the conflict. This 1936 Directory serves as a vital "Census Substitute," helping you pinpoint exactly where your family lived and what they did for a living during this 10-year gap in official records.

What’s Inside the Directory?

This comprehensive volume is split into several detailed sections to help you paint a full picture of life in 1936 Bury:

1. Street Directory: A house-by-house listing of the major roads and terraces in Bury. Perfect for tracing the history of a specific property or seeing who your ancestors' neighbors were.
2. Commercial & Trade Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and businesses. Find out if your ancestor was a butcher, baker, or cotton mill owner, and see the industrial landscape of the town.
3. Private Residents Directory: The "Who’s Who" of Bury in 1936. An alphabetical list of private citizens, their addresses, and often their occupations—essential for finding middle-class and professional ancestors.
4. Official Information: Listings of local council officials, magistrates, clergy, medical officers, and public institutions.
5. Local Information: Details on transport, postal services, and civic amenities.

Bury in 1936: Famous Faces & Facts

Using this directory, you are walking the same streets as notable historical figures and witnessing a town on the brink of modern change.

• Famous Connections:
  • Sir Robert Peel: While the 19th-century Prime Minister and founder of the police force was born at Chamber Hall in Bury generations prior, his legacy loomed large over the town in 1936. You may find local businesses or institutions named in his honor.
  • John Kay: The inventor of the Flying Shuttle was born in Bury in 1704. In 1936, the local textile industry was still thriving on the innovations he started centuries earlier.
  • Danny La Rue: The famous entertainer was just a young boy living in the area during this time (born in Cork but spent much of his youth in the North West).
• Industry & Commerce: In 1936, Bury was still a powerhouse of the Lancashire cotton industry. The directory is filled with references to spinners, weavers, and bleachers. It was also known for its paper making and engineering.
• Sport: The town was buzzing with support for Bury F.C. (The Shakers). Fans of the club can use this directory to find the homes of players or committee members from the era.
• Culture: The era of the Music Hall was still vibrant, and Bury’s theatres were popular attractions. The town was also famous for its Black Pudding, a trade that appears proudly in the commercial sections.
• The Year 1936: A year of immense historical change, seeing the death of King George V, the abdication of Edward VIII, and the rise to the throne of King George VI.

Map Disclaimer & Bonus

Disclaimer: Due to the age and fragility of the original source books, the fold-out maps were often removed or damaged in earlier copies before they were scanned.

• The Bad News: We cannot guarantee that the street map is present in every edition.
• The Bonus: If the map is present in your copy, it serves as a fantastic bonus resource, helping you visualize the routes your ancestors walked to school, work, or the local market.

Product Options

This product is available in two convenient formats to suit your needs:

1. Digital Download: Instant access. No waiting for shipping. Download the PDF files directly to your computer, tablet, or phone.
2. CD-ROM: A physical copy sent via post. Perfect for archiving or if you prefer a tangible backup.

Start your journey into Bury's past today!