Trade Protection Society's Street Alphabetical & Trade Directory Of Leicester 1870

Trade Protection Society's Street Alphabetical & Trade Directory Of Leicester 1870 - Digital Download or CD

Product Description:

Step back into the bustling Victorian streets of Leicester with this comprehensive replica of the Trade Protection Society's Street Alphabetical & Trade Directory of 1870. An invaluable resource for genealogists, local historians, and house researchers, this directory offers a snapshot of life in one of the Midlands' most industrious cities during the height of the 19th century.

About This Format: This directory is available as a high-quality digital download or on a CD. Please note that this is a reproduction of scanned original images. While the text is not embedded (and therefore not instantly searchable in the traditional sense), the directory has been meticulously digitized to preserve the authentic look and feel of the original Victorian publication.

Navigation & OCR: Don't let the lack of embedded search discourage you! The directory is arranged alphabetically by street name and trade, making manual navigation surprisingly intuitive and straightforward. Furthermore, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) offer "Run OCR" (Optical Character Recognition) features. You can often run this tool on the fly within your reader software to create a searchable layer, allowing you to locate names and addresses with ease.

Bridging the Census Gaps: The 1870s were a pivotal decade, and this directory serves as the perfect bridge between the 1861 and 1871 Census returns. If your ancestors seem to have disappeared between census years, or if you are trying to pinpoint exactly when a family moved into a specific property, this directory fills that void. It is particularly useful for identifying:

• Heads of households.
• Occupations and trades of specific residents.
• The exact street names and house numbers (crucial for tracking property history).

What’s Inside: This extensive volume is divided into clear, easy-to-use sections:

1. Street Directory: A house-by-house listing of the major streets and roads of Leicester, showing the head of occupier at each address. Perfect for mapping out who lived next door to your ancestors.
2. Commercial & Trade Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and professions—from Boot Makers to Zinc Workers. This section highlights the industrial might of Leicester during this period.
3. Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the gentry, merchants, and prominent citizens of the town, often distinguishing between homeowners and tenants.
4. Advertisements & Notices: A fascinating collection of contemporary advertisements for local businesses, medicines, and services, offering a colorful glimpse into Victorian consumerism.

Leicester in 1870: A Snapshot in Time:

• Industrial Powerhouse: In 1870, Leicester was defined by its textiles. It was the heart of the hosiery and knitwear industry, a fact proudly reflected in the hundreds of entries for framework knitters and manufacturers. The boot and shoe industry was also beginning its massive expansion, soon to dominate the local economy.
• Famous Residents: During this era, the city was home to or frequented by notable figures of the industrial age. Thomas Cook, the pioneer of popular tourism, was a prominent resident in Leicester during this time, having started his empire here in 1841; you may find his business listings or associates within these pages. The political landscape was also lively, with John Biggs, a former Mayor and liberal reformer, being a key figure in local civic life.
• Culture & Sport: While Leicester City FC and Leicester Tigers would not be founded for another decade or so, 1870 Leicester was a hotbed for archery, cricket, and the popular "Victorian Cyclists." The city boasted a thriving musical culture, with the Leicester Philharmonic Society entertaining the populace, and numerous music halls providing the entertainment of the day.

Important Note Regarding Maps: Please be aware that original directories often had maps removed or damaged over the last 150 years. While we have made every effort to include all pages, a map is not guaranteed with this specific edition. However, should the original map be present in the source material scanned, it will be included as a fascinating bonus!

Unlock the secrets of your Leicester ancestry today. Whether you are tracing a line of hosiery workers or looking for the home of a wealthy merchant, this directory provides the key.