The Red Book of Wolverhampton 1914 – Digital Download or CD

Step back in time to the eve of the First World War with this complete facsimile of The Red Book of Wolverhampton 1914.

This invaluable resource offers a fascinating snapshot of life in one of the Black Country’s most industrial powerhouses. Whether you are tracing your family tree, researching local history, or exploring the architecture of the town, this directory provides the intimate details that bring the past to life.

Navigating the Directory

Please note that this product is a high-quality digital reproduction of the original scanned pages. As such, it is not electronically searchable by name in the traditional sense. However, navigation is straightforward thanks to the original alphabetical layout of the sections.

Furthermore, modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) now feature OCR (Optical Character Recognition) "on the fly." This means you can often use the search function (Ctrl+F) within your reader to highlight names and places, making research significantly easier than with the original hard copy.

Bridging the Census Gap

Genealogists often struggle with the "census gaps." The 1911 Census was the last comprehensive survey taken before the war, and the 1921 Census remains the next available official record. This 1914 Directory perfectly bridges that gap, showing you exactly where your ancestors lived, what they did for a living, and who their neighbors were just as the Great War was breaking out.

What’s Inside: Section by Section

This comprehensive volume is divided into easy-to-use sections:

• Street Directory: A comprehensive list of streets and the head of households residing there. Perfect for locating specific houses and seeing the composition of a neighborhood.
• Commercial Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and professions. Find out who the local bakers, drapers, and iron founders were.
• Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the town’s private citizens, their addresses, and often their occupations.
• Official Information: Details on the Borough Council, officials, magistrates, and local public institutions.
• Advertisements: A collection of period advertisements promoting everything from local carbolic soap to the latest motor cars—offering a colorful glimpse into the consumer habits of the Edwardian era.

Wolverhampton in 1914: A Town of Industry and Sport

This directory captures Wolverhampton at a pivotal moment in its history.

• The Industrial Hub: In 1914, Wolverhampton was the heart of the "Workshop of the World." This directory lists the key figures behind the booming automotive and engineering industries. It captures the early days of Guy Motors, founded in 1914 by Sydney Guy, which would become a major producer of lorries and buses. You will also find entries related to the Sunbeam Motor Car Company, which was famous for producing high-quality vehicles that would later be converted for use in the war.
• Sporting Heritage: The town was home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. In 1914, the club (known as "Wolves") was playing at their historic Molineux Stadium and competing strongly in the Football League Second Division. The directory includes references to local sporting grounds and officials.
• Famous Faces & Residents: While scrolling through the pages, you may encounter ancestors of notable figures born in or around the area. This era includes the relatives of Sir Jack Hayward, a future benefactor of the club, and the families of local industrialists like the Marstons (of Sunbeam and Pelican Works fame). It is also the era when Billy Wright, arguably Wolves' greatest captain, was a young child growing up in the town before his rise to fame.

A Note on Maps

Disclaimer: Due to the age of the original source material, some directories were published without fold-out maps, or maps were removed from individual copies before scanning. We have preserved everything found in the original book used for this scan. If the original map was present and intact, it is included as a fantastic bonus! However, please be aware that a map is not guaranteed in every edition.

Product Specifications

• Format: High-resolution PDF (Scanned Images)
• Delivery: Instant Digital Download or Physical CD-ROM
• Compatibility: Readable on any PC, Mac, or Tablet using standard PDF software.

Unlock the secrets of your Wolverhampton ancestors today!