Besley's Directory Of Exeter & Suburbs 1912

Product Description

Step Back into Edwardian Exeter (1912) Whether you are tracing your Devon ancestry or researching the history of Exeter’s streets, Besley's Directory of Exeter & Suburbs 1912 is an invaluable addition to your genealogy toolkit. Published at the height of the Edwardian era, this directory offers a fascinating snapshot of the city just two years before the outbreak of the First World War.

The Perfect Census Substitute Genealogists know the frustration of missing records. With the 1931 census destroyed by fire and the 1941 census cancelled due to WWII, we rely heavily on the 1911 census. However, in 1911—much like the government distrust and form-refusals we see today—there was significant resistance to the census. Many suffragettes boycotted the count, and citizens suspicious of state intrusion refused to fill in their forms or deliberately provided false information. If your ancestors are missing from the 1911 census, there is a very high chance you will find them living and working right here in Besley’s 1912 directory instead!

What’s Inside? (Directory Sections) This comprehensive volume is meticulously structured. Because it is formatted alphabetically, navigating the scanned images to find your ancestors is incredibly easy, even without a fully searchable index. The directory includes:

• Street Directory: A house-by-house listing of the city centre and immediate suburbs, perfect for mapping out who lived next door to your ancestors.
• Alphabetical Directory of Private Residents: The goldmine for genealogists. Lists the names, occupations, and addresses of the middle and upper classes.
• Commercial Directory: Details of local businesses, shop owners, and tradesmen.
• Trades & Professions: An alphabetical list by occupation (e.g., finding all the blacksmiths, bakers, or drapers in the city).
• Official & Municipal Information: Details of local councillors, magistrates, and public officials.
• Suburban & Village Sections: Covers the surrounding areas including St. Thomas, Heavitree, St. Sidwell’s, Alphington, and Wonford.

Exeter in 1912: A City of Industry, Sport, and Culture To put your ancestors' lives into context, 1912 Exeter was a bustling city in transition:

• Industry: While Exeter’s famous woollen trade had largely declined, the city was thriving in new industries. It was a major hub for engineering, foundry work, and printing (including the famous William Pollard & Co.).
• Sport: Football was sweeping the nation. Exeter City FC, founded just over a decade earlier, was playing at St James' Park. Just two years after this directory was published, the team would make history by becoming one of the first to play in an international tournament in South America!
• Famous Faces: Look out for the residence of Harry Hems (1842-1916), Exeter’s famed ecclesiastical sculptor and woodcarver, whose workshop was a major local landmark. You will also find the names of prominent local families who shaped the modern city, as well as academics and clergy tied to the historic Exeter Cathedral and the University College of the South West.

Modern Tech Meets Historic Data While this product consists of scanned images of the original book, you are not stuck in the past when it comes to usability.

• Alphabetical Navigation: The original alphabetical layout means you can scroll straight to the "M"s for Matthews or the "S"s for Smith with ease.
• Desktop PDF Magic: When opened on a desktop PC using a modern PDF reader (like Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Edge), the built-in Google Lens integration works on the fly. This means your computer can perform real-time OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the scanned pages. You can highlight the text to use Text-to-Speech to have the directory read aloud to you, or instantly translate the Victorian handwriting into modern text or different languages. (Please note: These advanced on-the-fly OCR and reader features require a desktop PC environment and may not be available on standard mobile PDF apps).

Format Options Choose the format that suits your research style:

• Digital Download: Instant access after checkout. Start researching your Exeter roots immediately.
• CD-ROM: Mailed directly to your door. Perfect for those who prefer a physical backup of their genealogy data.

Important Disclaimer: Please note that unless explicitly stated otherwise in the product listing variations, the original fold-out map that occasionally accompanied these directories is MISSING from this edition.

Unlock the doors to your Devon ancestry today. Add Besley's 1912 Directory to your cart and discover the lives your ancestors led in Edwardian Exeter!