Kelly's Directory Of Southampton 1916-1917

Kelly’s Directory of Southampton 1916-1917 – Digital Download or CD

Unlock the Secrets of Southampton’s Past

Step back into the heart of the First World War with this exact digital replica of Kelly’s Directory of Southampton 1916-1917. An essential resource for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching family history in Hampshire, this directory offers a fascinating snapshot of life in Southampton during one of the most turbulent periods in British history.

Why This Directory is Essential for Your Research

With the 1911 Census now becoming distant and the 1921 Census the next major milestone, this directory fills a vital ten-year gap. It is particularly crucial for tracking family movements, changes in occupation, and the lives of those who may not appear in the 1921 records due to the tragic losses of the Great War.

Unlike modern databases, this product consists of high-quality scanned images of the original pages. While the text itself is not digitally embedded (meaning it is not natively searchable in the traditional sense), the directory is meticulously organized alphabetically, making navigation intuitive and straightforward.

Tech Note: While the file is image-based, users with modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) can utilize the "OCR on the fly" features to search for specific surnames or street names, significantly speeding up your research compared to using a physical book.

What’s Inside? A Detailed Breakdown

This comprehensive volume is divided into easy-to-navigate sections:

• Southampton Street Directory: An alphabetical listing of streets, showing the head of household or business occupying each property. Perfect for mapping out where your ancestors lived.
• Commercial Directory: A classified list of trades and professions. Find out if your great-grandfather was a baker, a shipwright, or a merchant, and see who their competitors were.
• Court Directory (Private Residents): An alphabetical list of private residents, often excluding the working class but providing excellent details on the middle and upper classes of the time.
• Official & Municipal Information: Detailed listings of the Corporation, borough officials, magistrates, and public institutions.
• Local Information: Includes transport schedules (trains and steamers), postal information, and public carriers.

Southampton in 1916: The Context

This directory captures Southampton at a critical juncture. As a major military port, the town was bustling with troops heading to the Western Front and returning wounded soldiers. The impact of the war is evident in the changing landscape of the town's commerce and residents.

• Famous Connections & Notable Residents:
  • R.J. Mitchell: In 1916, the young R.J. Mitchell was beginning his engineering career at Supermarine in Woolston. While the Spitfire was still years away, his presence in the area marks the start of Southampton's aviation legacy.
  • The Titanic Memory: Just four years prior, Southampton had been devastated by the loss of the Titanic. In 1916, many of the crew members' families were still residing in the town, and this directory helps locate the widows and children of the disaster.
• Industry & Trade:
  • The Docks: The "Gateway to the World" was operating at full capacity for the war effort. The directory highlights the extensive network of stevedores, dock officials, and shipping companies.
  • Manufacturing: Beyond the docks, Southampton was known for its engineering works and tobacco processing.
• Sport & Leisure:
  • Southampton Football Club (The Saints): The club was well established, having moved to The Dell in 1898. While football continued during the war, the team sheets were often filled by guest players due to conscription.
  • Music & Arts: The town boasted a vibrant musical scene, with the Southampton Guildhall and various theatres hosting performances to boost morale.

Map Disclaimer

Please Note: Original directories often varied in their inclusion of supplementary maps. We have included a high-quality scan of the street map if it was physically bound within the original book we digitized. However, if no map was present in the original 1916-1917 publication, one will not be included in this download. Please treat the inclusion of a map as a bonus feature rather than a guaranteed part of the product.

Product Formats

Available as a High-Quality Digital Download (get it instantly) or on a CD (sent via post).

Start tracing your Southampton family tree today!