Kelly's Directory Of Gloucestershire 1935

Kelly’s Directory of Gloucestershire 1935: The Ultimate Inter-War Census Substitute (Digital Download or CD)

Product Description

Step back into 1935 and uncover the lives of your ancestors with this comprehensive digital reproduction of Kelly’s Directory of Gloucestershire.

Are you hitting a brick wall with your family history research? With the 1931 Census destroyed in the war and the 1941 Census cancelled due to WWII, this directory serves as a vital "Census Substitute." It bridges the gap between the 1921 Census and the 1951 registers, offering a snapshot of Gloucestershire life on the eve of significant historical change.

Whether you are a genealogist, local historian, or simply curious about the county’s past, this directory is an indispensable resource for building your family tree.

Why This Directory is Essential for Your Research:

• A Critical Census Substitute: Fill the void left by the missing 1931 and 1941 censuses. Discover where your family lived, their occupations, and their social standing in 1935.
• High-Quality Scans: This product is a digitized copy of the original book, preserving the charm and authenticity of the Victorian/Edwardian layout.
• Easy Navigation: Although these are scanned images (not a text-searchable database), the directory is compiled alphabetically by town and parish. This makes locating specific families or trades straightforward and intuitive.
• Modern Compatibility: While the file itself consists of images, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) perform "OCR on the fly." This allows you to use the "Find" (Ctrl+F) function to search for surnames or street names within the viewer.

What’s Inside? This extensive directory is divided into clear, easy-to-use sections:

1. County Information: A detailed sketch of the county’s topography, ancient history, and administrative divisions (Hundreds, Unions, and County Court Districts).
2. The Court Directory: An alphabetical list of private residents (the gentry and clergy) alongside the major trades and professions for the whole county.
3. Town & Parish Directory: The heart of the book. Arranged alphabetically by location (from Abenhall to Yate), this section provides:
   • Local Geography: Historical notes and descriptions of the town or village.
   • Private Residents: Lists of householders (heads of families) and their addresses.
   • Commercial Directory: A classified list of tradespeople—find out if your great-grandfather was a butcher in Cheltenham, a baker in Stroud, or a blacksmith in the Forest of Dean.
4. Trades & Professional Directory: A comprehensive alphabetical county-wide register. If you know an ancestor's job but not their location, you can find them here.
5. Advertisements: Fascinating period advertisements for local businesses, offering a glimpse into the fashion, technology, and services available in 1935.

Gloucestershire in 1935: A Time of Change 1935 was the Silver Jubilee year of King George V, a time of celebration mixed with the growing shadows of the impending war. Gloucestershire was a hub of contrasting industries:

• Aviation Pioneers: The county was home to the Gloster Aircraft Company (based in Hucclecote/Brockworth), which was pivotal in the development of the famous Gladiator and later the Hurricane during the war years.
• Sporting Legends: The directory lists the residences of contemporary sports stars, including members of the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. You may find references to the legendary Wally Hammond, one of cricket’s greatest batsmen, who was living and playing in the county during this era.
• Music & Arts: The cultural life of Cheltenham and Gloucester was thriving, fueled by the legacy of the Three Choirs Festival.
• Aristocracy: Look for the Duke of Beaufort at Badminton House, a central figure in the county's social hierarchy.

Important Note Regarding Maps: Please be aware that due to the age of the original source material, the fold-out maps that occasionally accompanied these directories may have been removed or lost prior to scanning. However, should the original volume we scanned contain the maps, they will be included as a special bonus within this digital download.

Format & Delivery: This product is available as a Digital Download (link provided via email) or on a CD-ROM. The files are in high-quality PDF format, readable on any computer or tablet.

Unlock the secrets of Gloucestershire’s past today!