Kelly's Directory of Bristol & Suburbs 1938 (Census Substitute)

Unlock the history of Bristol in the pre-war era with this invaluable digital genealogy resource.

Are you tracing your Bristol family tree and hit a brick wall? The 1931 Census for England and Wales was destroyed by fire during WWII, and the 1941 Census was never taken due to the war. This makes the Kelly's Directory of Bristol & Suburbs 1938 an essential "Census Substitute," bridging the gap between the 1921 Census and the 1939 Register.

Available as a high-quality digital download or on CD, this directory offers a fascinating snapshot of life in Bristol on the eve of the Second World War.

About the Format

Please note that this directory is a scan of the original book, consisting of high-resolution images (PDF format). The text is not embedded or searchable in the traditional sense. However, due to the strict alphabetical arrangement of the sections, navigation is straightforward. Furthermore, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) offer "OCR on the fly," allowing you to search the text visually once opened.

What's Inside the Directory?

This comprehensive volume is divided into key sections to help you locate residents and businesses:

1. Bristol Official Information: Detailed listings of the City Council, Corporation officials, magistrates, and local public services. This section is perfect for understanding the civic structure of the city your ancestors lived in.
2. Street Directory: An alphabetical list of streets in Bristol and the immediate suburbs, showing the head of household or business occupying each property. Ideal for house histories and tracking family movements.
3. Commercial Directory: A classified list of trades and professions. Find out if your ancestor was a butcher, baker, or perhaps worked in one of Bristol's booming industries.
4. Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private citizens, often excluding the working class but providing details of the middle and upper classes, including their addresses.
5. Suburbs: Includes thorough coverage of the surrounding areas, such as Clifton, Redland, Horfield, Bedminster, and Fishponds.

Bristol in 1938: A City in Focus

This directory captures Bristol at a pivotal moment in history. It was a city of industry, maritime trade, and culture, standing on the precipice of global conflict.

• Industrial Powerhouse: In 1938, Bristol was a major engineering hub. The Bristol Aeroplane Company (based at Filton) was already a giant in aviation, producing the iconic Blenheim bomber. You will find listings for the myriad of smaller engineering firms and suppliers that supported this industry.
• Tobacco & Chocolate: The city air was famously scented by two of its largest employers: W.D. & H.O. Wills (Imperial Tobacco) and J.S. Fry & Sons. Many Bristolians listed in these pages would have been employed at these vast factories.
• Sporting Legends: 1938 saw Bristol Rovers and Bristol City both active in the Football League. The directory includes details of the grounds (Eastville Stadium and Ashton Gate) and officials connected to the clubs.
• Cultural Connections: Bristol has a rich history of producing musical talent. While the "Bristol Sound" was decades away, the city was home to the Colston Hall, a prime venue hosting the orchestras and composers of the day. Additionally, look out for listings connected to the Old Vic, which was establishing itself as a premier theatre.

Famous Connections & Residents

Bristol has been home to many notable figures. While browsing this directory, you may come across the residences or business interests of families connected to famous Bristol-born figures who were active during this era, such as:

• Cary Grant (Archibald Leach): The Hollywood icon was born in Bristol (Horfield) in 1904. While he had left for the US by 1938, family members may still be listed in the area.
• Paul Dirac: The Nobel Prize-winning physicist, born in Bishopston, was a towering figure in science. While he was a professor at Cambridge by 1938, his Bristol roots are deep.
• Archibald Leach's Father: Elias Leach, Cary Grant's father, managed a garment factory in Bristol and may appear in the commercial or trade sections.

Important Note Regarding Maps

Please be aware that due to the age of the original source material and the removal of maps by previous owners, the fold-out map that typically accompanied these directories may be missing from this scan. We have made every effort to preserve the directory in its entirety, but we cannot guarantee the presence of the original map. However, if the map is present in the source copy we scanned, it will be included as a fantastic bonus to aid your research!