Wright's Directory Of Leicester & Six Miles Round 1878

Wright’s Directory of Leicester & Six Miles Round 1878 – Digital Download & CD Edition

Product Description:

Step back into the heart of the Victorian era with this exact reproduction of Wright’s Directory of Leicester & Six Miles Round 1878. An essential resource for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching the history of Leicestershire, this directory offers a fascinating snapshot of life in Leicester just before the dawn of the 1880s.

Whether you are tracing ancestors who walked the cobblestone streets of the city or researching the evolution of local trades, this directory provides the "missing link" between the 1871 and 1881 census records. While the 1871 census tells you where your family lived, this directory helps you understand their community, their neighbors, and their economic standing.

Navigational Ease & Technical Details

Please note that this product consists of high-quality scanned images of the original book. While the text is not embedded (and therefore not instantly searchable like a modern eBook), the directory is compiled alphabetically, making it incredibly intuitive to navigate by name or trade.

• Modern OCR Compatibility: We recommend opening this PDF in a modern PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers). Most modern readers perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly, allowing you to use the "Find" function to search for surnames and street names, effectively bridging the gap between archival formats and modern technology.
• Formats Available: Choose between a convenient Digital Download (for instant access) or a CD (for a physical archival copy).

Inside the Directory: A Breakdown of Sections

This comprehensive volume is divided into clear sections to aid your research:

1. Street Directory: A house-by-house listing of the main streets of Leicester. Perfect for locating specific properties and understanding who lived next door to your ancestors.
2. Commercial Directory: An alphabetical list of tradesmen and professionals. Find out who the local blacksmiths, bakers, and drapers were.
3. Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the private householders of Leicester (excluding the poor), often referred to as the "Court Directory."
4. Six Miles Round: A detailed directory of the surrounding villages and hamlets within a six-mile radius, including places like Belgrave, Knighton, Aylestone, Evington, and Wigston.
5. Official & Municipal Information: Listings of local government officials, clergy, doctors, and society leaders.

Historical Context & Famous Residents of Leicester (1878)

The year 1878 places Leicester at the height of the Industrial Revolution. It was a bustling hub of innovation, particularly known for hosiery and footwear manufacturing.

• The Elephant Man: Perhaps the most tragic and famous figure associated with Leicester in the late 1870s is Joseph Merrick (later known as the Elephant Man). In 1878, at the age of 18, Merrick was living in Leicester and working in a cigar rolling factory on Wharf Street (later moving to a shoe factory). While he may not be listed as a prominent "private resident," this is the exact environment he inhabited before his life took him to London.
• Thomas Cook: The pioneer of tourism, Thomas Cook, was a native of the city. By 1878, his company was well-established, having already organized the first round-the-world tour. His influence on the city’s commercial landscape was significant.
• Literary & Artistic Connections: This era saw the flourishing of the Leicestershire Literary and Philosophical Society, which attracted many intellectuals to the town.

Industry, Sport & Culture in 1878

• Industrial Powerhouse: In 1878, Leicester was defined by the clatter of looms. The dominant industries were Wool Combing, Hosiery, and Boot/Shoe Manufacturing. Engineering was also on the rise, providing the machinery for the textile mills.
• The Sporting Scene: While Leicester Tigers (Rugby) would not be officially founded until 1880, the athletic culture was brewing. Cricket was the sport of the masses, and the town was home to various cricket clubs and athletic grounds that would eventually evolve into the football and rugby clubs we know today.
• Music & Entertainment: The city boasted a vibrant musical scene, with choral societies being immensely popular among the working class, a tradition that remains strong in the county today.

Important Disclaimer regarding Maps

Please be aware that while many directories of this period included folding maps, over the last 140+ years, these have often been lost or removed from bound volumes. We cannot guarantee that a map is present in this specific scan. However, if the original book scanned for this product contained the map, it is included here as a fascinating bonus.

Unlock the secrets of your Leicestershire ancestry today. This directory is not just a list of names; it is a window into the Victorian world of your ancestors.