Besley's Directory Of Exeter & Suburbs 1915

Unlock the Doors to Your Exeter Ancestors in 1915

Step back into the twilight of the Edwardian era and the dawn of the First World War with a digital reproduction of Besley's Directory of Exeter & Suburbs 1915. Whether you are tracing your family tree, researching the history of your house, or delving into local history, this invaluable resource provides a detailed snapshot of Exeter’s residents and businesses at a pivotal moment in time.

Available as an instant digital download or on a convenient CD-ROM, this directory consists of crystal-clear scanned images presented in an easy-to-navigate PDF format.

Cutting-Edge Accessibility for Modern Researchers

While these are authentic scanned images of the original book, you get the best of both worlds: historical authenticity paired with modern technology. Because the directory is laid out alphabetically, you can easily visually scan the pages just as your ancestors would have.

Furthermore, when viewed on desktop PCs, modern PDF readers (like Adobe Acrobat) can perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly. This means you can:

• Search for specific surnames or street names instantly.
• Use built-in Google Lens to grab text directly from the page.
• Utilize Text-to-Speech features to have your computer read the listings aloud to you.
• Translate the text into other languages using built-in browser or PDF tools. (Please note: Due to software limitations, these advanced on-the-fly OCR and Text-to-Speech features are generally only available when viewing the PDF on desktop PCs, not on mobile devices).

Bridging the Census Gaps: The 1911 Anomaly

If you have hit a brick wall with the 1911 census, this directory could be your missing puzzle piece. Much like the government distrust and survey refusal we see in modern times, the 1911 census was heavily boycotted by the suffragette movement under the slogan "No Vote, No Census." Many women simply refused to be counted, and some households actively spoiled their forms or hid from enumerators. If your female ancestors—or the households they lived in—avoided the 1911 census out of protest or general distrust of the government, there is a very high chance they are proudly listed by name and occupation right here in Besley’s 1915 directory instead!

What’s Inside: A Breakdown of the Sections

Besley’s directories are famously comprehensive. This edition includes:

• Street Directory: A house-by-house listing of Exeter's streets. Perfect for tracing who lived in a specific building in 1915.
• Alphabetical Directory of Private Residents: The core genealogical resource, listing the names, professions, and addresses of the middle and upper classes.
• Commercial & Trades Directory: Find out what your ancestors did for a living. From blacksmiths to boot makers, this section is cross-referenced by trade.
• Official Directory: Listings for local government officials, magistrates, clergy, and public institutions.
• Suburban & Parish Directory: Expanding the search area, this covers the surrounding villages and suburbs that fell under Exeter's umbrella at the time, such as St. Thomas, Heavitree, and Alphington.

Exeter in 1915: A City in Flux

To understand the context of your ancestors' lives, it helps to understand the city they lived in. In 1915, Exeter was a city balancing its ancient medieval roots with the harsh realities of the Industrial Revolution and the First World War:

• The Football Pioneers: Just a year prior to this directory's publication, in 1914, Exeter City FC made history by becoming the very first foreign team to play in Brazil, famously playing against the Brazilian national team and a local team that would later become Fluminense FC. By 1915, many of those very players and fans were fighting in the trenches of WWI.
• Industry & Economy: While historically famous for its wool and cloth trade, by 1915 Exeter's economy was driven by engineering, iron founding, and its massive brewing industry (including the famous Starkey, Knight & Co. brewery). It was also a major railway hub, bringing in goods and troops for the war effort.
• Famous Exonians: William Lashly, the legendary Royal Navy petty officer and Antarctic explorer who served with both Captain Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton, was living in Exeter during this era, having retired to the area to work as a customs officer.
• Music & Culture: Despite the war, culture persisted. The newly opened Exeter Hippodrome (1913) was providing musical hall entertainment, and the Exeter Cathedral Choir remained a focal point of the city's musical life.

Important Disclaimer

Please Note: Unless specifically stated otherwise in the product title or description, the original fold-out map that accompanied this directory is missing from this scanned edition. This was a common occurrence with original physical copies where the map was often removed or lost over the last century.

Format Options

• Digital Download: Receive your download link instantly upon payment. No waiting, no shipping fees!
• CD-ROM: Prefer a physical backup? Choose the CD option, and we will ship the directory directly to your door in a protective case, ready to load into your PC's disc drive.

Don't let the 1911 census gap or the disruptions of WWI hide your ancestors. Add Besley's 1915 Directory to your cart today and bring your Exeter family history back to life!