Silverthorne's Directory Of Bath 1846

Silverthorne's Directory of Bath 1846 - Digital Download or CD-ROM

Product Description:

Unlock the history of one of England’s most elegant Georgian cities with this high-quality reproduction of Silverthorne's Directory of Bath 1846. Perfect for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching the social history of Somerset, this directory serves as an invaluable bridge between the 1841 and 1851 census records.

Navigating the Past: This directory has been painstakingly digitized from original sources and is available as a digital download or on a convenient CD-ROM. As this is a collection of scanned images preserving the authentic look and feel of the Victorian era, the text is not embedded in a searchable format. However, thanks to the alphabetical arrangement of the sections, locating specific ancestors or trades is intuitive and straightforward.

Tech Tip: While the file itself is an image scan, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) now offer "OCR on the fly." This means you can often use the "Find" (Ctrl+F) command to search for surnames or street names, making research even faster!

Why 1846 Matters: Census records in the UK are taken every ten years, leaving significant gaps in our knowledge of family movements. The 1846 directory is the perfect tool to fill the void between the 1841 and 1851 censuses. If you have lost track of a family member between these two dates, this directory may reveal exactly where they were living and what their occupation was mid-decade.

Contents of the Directory: This comprehensive volume provides a snapshot of Bath life during the early Victorian era. It includes:

• Street Directory: A detailed listing of the main streets and thoroughfares of Bath, helping you to pinpoint exact neighborhoods.
• Commercial & Trade Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and professions, from Physicians and Solicitors to Grocers and Innkeepers—ideal for understanding the local economy.
• Alphabetical List of Private Residents: The crown jewel for genealogists, listing the heads of households and private citizens residing in Bath at the time.
• Official Directory: Listings of civic, ecclesiastical, and legal officials, including the Mayor, magistrates, and clergy.
• Institutions & Societies: Information on hospitals, charities, and literary societies active in the city.

A City of Culture and Celebrity: In 1846, Bath was a city of transition, balancing its Georgian spa-town heritage with the industrial modernization of the Victorian age. As you browse these pages, you are walking the same streets as notable figures of the era:

• The Literary Connection: While Jane Austen had passed away decades prior, Bath remained a hub for writers and intellectuals. The directory captures the literary circles that still thrived in the Assembly Rooms and the Pump Room.
• Industrial Innovation: 1846 was a boom time for the railway. The Great Western Railway, championed by the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, had recently connected Bath to London, changing the demographic of the city forever. You may find listings for railway agents, engineers, and hoteliers catering to this new wave of visitors.
• Music & Arts: Bath was renowned for its musical prowess. The city hosted lavish concerts at the Assembly Rooms, and the directory lists many music teachers and instrument makers who served the affluent society.
• Sporting Legacy: While Bath Rugby would not be founded until 1865, the mid-19th century saw a burgeoning interest in cricket and rowing on the River Avon, often supported by the publicans and tavern owners listed within these pages.

Important Note Regarding Maps: Please be aware that the original source book from which this scan was produced was missing some of its fold-out maps. We have included every page available from the original text. However, should any maps be present in this specific scan, please treat them as a special bonus, as their survival is rare.

System Requirements: To view this PDF, you will need a computer with a PDF reader. Files are large high-quality scans; a download manager is recommended for the digital version.