Kelly's Directory Of Gloucestershire 1894

Kelly's Directory of Gloucestershire 1894 - Digital Download or CD-ROM

Product Description:

Step back into the Victorian era with this comprehensive repertory of Gloucestershire as it stood in 1894. An essential resource for genealogists and local historians, this directory offers a fascinating snapshot of life in the county during the height of Queen Victoria’s reign.

Important Note on Format & Navigation: This product is a high-quality digital scan of the original book, provided as a PDF file. It consists of scanned images and is not text-searchable in the traditional sense. However, due to the strictly alphabetical nature of the directory's listings, navigation is straightforward and intuitive. Furthermore, many modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat and web browsers) now perform "OCR on the fly," allowing you to search the text using your reader's built-in find function, depending on the clarity of the original print.

Bridging the Census Gap: Published midway between the 1891 and 1901 censuses, this directory is the perfect tool to fill the gaps in your family tree. If you have lost track of an ancestor between these two census years, this directory allows you to pinpoint their exact location, trade, and status in 1894.

What’s Inside: This extensive volume is divided into several key sections to aid your research:

• County Information: A detailed history and topography of Gloucestershire, including information on the geology, agriculture, and main seats of the gentry.
• The Court Directory (Private Residents): An alphabetical list of private residents, featuring the gentry, clergy, and prominent tradespeople.
• The Trades Directory: A classified commercial directory listing every business and trader by profession, from Blacksmiths in Bibury to Wheelwrights in Woolaston.
• Towns & Villages: Street-by-street listings for major towns like Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, and Cirencester, as well as comprehensive coverage of the smaller rural villages.
• Advertisements: Period advertisements that provide a colorful context for the goods and services available to your Victorian ancestors.

Gloucestershire Highlights & Famous Residents (1894 Context):

• Musical Heritage: In 1894, Gloucester was preparing for its upcoming Three Choirs Festival (held in 1896), a tradition it shares with Worcester and Hereford. The famous composer Gustav Holst, born in Cheltenham in 1874, would have been 20 years old and likely still living in the area or studying in London, his family roots deep in the county’s musical scene. Meanwhile, Ivor Gurney, the future poet and composer, was just a toddler in Gloucester.
• Industry: The directory captures the county’s industrial diversity, from the massive engineering works and railway workshops of Gloucester to the thriving woollen mills of Stroud and the coal mining communities of the Forest of Dean.
• Sport: Gloucester Rugby Club, founded in 1873, was well established by this time, playing matches at the Spa Ground. Cricket was also hugely popular, with the county club active at the Bristol Ground.
• Medical Pioneers: The legacy of Dr. Edward Jenner (born in Berkeley) is prominent in the historical sections, reminding researchers of the county's role in the development of the smallpox vaccine.

Map Disclaimer & Bonus: Please note that due to the age and binding of the original source book, some fold-out maps or street plans may have been removed or damaged prior to scanning. We have made every effort to include all available maps. Bonus: If the original map section was intact in the source we scanned, it is included in this download at no extra cost!

Available Formats: This directory is available as a Digital Download (instant access) or on a CD-ROM sent via post. Ideal for browsing on your computer, tablet, or e-reader.