Spencer’s Illustrated Leicester Almanack 1871 - Digital Download or CD

Unlock the History of Leicester in 1871

Step back into the Victorian era with this fascinating republication of Spencer’s Illustrated Leicester Almanack for 1871. An essential resource for genealogists and local historians, this directory offers a unique snapshot of life in Leicester during the height of the Industrial Revolution.

Please Note: This product is a high-quality scan of the original book. The text consists of scanned images and is not embedded as searchable text. However, due to the alphabetical arrangement of the directory, navigation is straightforward. Furthermore, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) feature "OCR on the fly," allowing you to search the text using your reader's search function.

Why This Directory is Essential for Your Research

The year 1871 sits exactly on a Census year. While the Census provides a snapshot of who was in a house on a specific night, this directory fills in the gaps for the rest of the year. It is particularly useful for:

• Bridging the Census Gaps: Confirming an ancestor's residence between the 1861 and 1871 (or 1871 and 1881) census counts.
• Tracking Mobility: If a family moved frequently, the directory helps pinpoint their whereabouts in 1871.
• Finding Tradesmen: locating the specific businesses your ancestors used or worked for.

What’s Inside: Section by Section

This comprehensive Almanack is packed with details that bring the Victorian streets of Leicester to life:

• A Calendar & Almanac: Complete with local sunrise/sunset times, tide tables, and a list of notable fairs and markets for Leicestershire in 1871.
• Local Civic Information: A full listing of the Corporation, Borough Magistrates, and local officials, perfect for understanding the governance of the town.
• Street Directory: An alphabetical list of streets with the heads of households and tradespeople residing there.
• Commercial & Trades Directory: Listings of local businesses, from hosiery manufacturers to boot and shoe makers—critical for the economic history of the area.
• Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the gentry, professionals, and private citizens living in the town.
• Advertisements: Hundreds of period advertisements promoting Victorian medicines, clothing, and services, offering a colorful look at the consumer culture of the time.

Leicester Life in 1871: Famous Faces & Facts

Leicester in 1871 was a bustling hub of industry and culture. As you browse these pages, you may encounter the early踪迹 of notable figures and the industries that defined the town.

Famous People & Connections:

• Joseph Merrick (The Elephant Man): In 1871, a young Joseph Merrick (approx. 9 years old) was living in Leicester with his mother and siblings. His father worked as a cotton engine driver at a local mill.
• Thomas Cook: The pioneer of tourism had his main headquarters in Leicester. By 1871, his company was well-established, facilitating global travel from this Midlands town.
• Alfred East: The renowned romantic landscape painter was an apprentice in the Boot and Shoe trade in Leicester around this time before pursuing his art career in Glasgow.

Industry & Commerce:

• The Workshop of the World: Leicester was rapidly becoming the center of the boot and shoe manufacturing industry, overtaking its traditional hosiery trade.
• Engineering and Elastic Web: The town was also known for its engineering prowess and the production of elastic webbing, vital for the clothing industry.

Music & Sport:

• Leicester Musical Society: The town boasted a vibrant musical scene, with the Leicester Philharmonic Society performing regular concerts.
• Leicester Football Club: While the professional rugby club (Leicester Tigers) was founded in 1880, the sporting culture in 1871 was heavily dominated by cricket (Leicestershire CCC) and the emerging rules of association football.

Important Note Regarding Maps

Disclaimer: Please be aware that the original publisher did not always include a fold-out map in every edition of this Almanack. We have scanned the book exactly as it was sourced. While a map is often a fantastic bonus feature of these directories, we cannot guarantee its presence in this specific copy. If a map was present in the original physical book we digitized, it is included as a wonderful bonus!

Formats Available

This product is available as a Digital Download (immediate access) or a CD-ROM (shipped to your address). The files are in PDF format, readable on any computer or tablet.