Kelly's Directory Of Essex 1894

Step into the Streets of Victorian Essex Your Definitive Guide to 1894

The essential time capsule for genealogists, local historians, and anyone fascinated by the past.

Imagine the sounds of horse-drawn carts on cobblestone streets, the glow of gaslight from shop windows, and the bustling energy of a market town in late-Victorian England. Now, you can walk those streets yourself. The Kelly's Directory of Essex 1894 is not just a book; it is a doorway to a lost world, offering an unparalleled snapshot of life in the county over 130 years ago.

Far more than a simple list of names and addresses, this meticulously detailed directory is the Victorian equivalent of a search engine, a social register, and a business directory all rolled into one. It is the key to unlocking the stories of the people and places that shaped Essex.

Inside this treasure trove, you will discover:

Private Residents & Court Directory: Find your ancestors and discover who they were. Listed street-by-street for major towns and alphabetically for villages, you can locate individuals, their occupations, and their neighbours, providing invaluable context for your family tree.
Commercial & Trades Directory: Explore the heart of Victorian commerce. From blacksmiths and bakers to drapers and solicitors, discover the businesses that formed the backbone of the local economy. Perfect for understanding the commercial landscape of your town or village.
Official & Professional Information: Gain insight into the structure of local society. Find the names of county officials, members of the council, clergy, doctors, schoolmasters, and police constables.
Descriptive Histories: Read fascinating contemporary descriptions of every town, village, and parish in Essex. Learn about their history, notable landmarks, transport links, and principal landowners as they stood in 1894.
Authentic Victorian Advertisements: Be transported back in time by the original advertisements. Promoting everything from patent medicines to agricultural machinery, these ads offer a colourful and often charming glimpse into the priorities, fashions, and language of the era.
Who is this for?

The Family Historian: Break down brick walls in your research by pinpointing an ancestor's location and profession in 1894.
The Local Historian: Build a vivid picture of your community's past, from its shops and schools to its leaders and landmarks.
The House Historian: Trace the history of your property and uncover the names of those who lived within its walls over a century ago.
The Social History Enthusiast: Immerse yourself in the authentic details of daily life, class structure, and commerce in the Victorian age