Kelly's Directory of Herefordshire 1879 (Digital Download & CD)

Step back into the Victorian era and trace your Herefordshire ancestors with this complete facsimile of Kelly's Directory of Herefordshire 1879.

Whether you are a genealogist, local historian, or simply curious about the "Garden of England" in the late 19th century, this directory is an invaluable resource. Available as a high-quality digital download or on a convenient CD, this volume offers a fascinating snapshot of life in Herefordshire just before the industrial boom of the 1880s.

Why This Directory is Essential for Your Research

Bridging the Census Gap The 1871 and 1881 censuses are standard tools for family historians, but what happened in the decade between? This 1879 directory is the perfect solution to that ten-year gap. It allows you to pinpoint exactly where your ancestors lived and what they did for a living, filling in the missing years of their lives.

Easy Navigation & Search Please note: This directory consists of high-resolution scanned images of the original book pages. It is not a text-searchable database in the traditional sense. However, due to the strict alphabetical arrangement of the directories, finding your family is surprisingly intuitive and straightforward. Tech Tip: Most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly. This means you can often use the "Find" function in your PDF viewer to search for surnames, street names, or trades, making these scanned images much more accessible than in the past.

Inside the Directory: Section by Section

This comprehensive volume is divided into useful sections to help you navigate the social and economic landscape of 1879 Herefordshire:

1. County Information: A detailed sketch of the county, including its topography, geology, and administrative divisions (Hundreds, Unions, and County Court Districts).
2. The Court Directory (Private Residents): An alphabetical list of the gentry, clergy, and prominent citizens (heads of households) living in the county at the time.
3. The Trades Directory: A vital resource for discovering working-class ancestors. This section lists tradespeople alphabetically by profession—from Bakers and Blacksmiths to Wheelwrights and Wool Staplers—followed by their location.
4. Town & Village Histories: Comprehensive descriptions of the major towns and villages, including local landmarks, churches, schools, and transportation links.
5. Parliamentary & Official Lists: Details of local MPs, magistrates, and public officers.

Herefordshire Life in 1879: Context and Curiosities

To help you understand the world your ancestors lived in, this directory captures Herefordshire at a pivotal time.

Agriculture and Industry In 1879, Herefordshire was defined by agriculture. The directory is filled with the names of Hop growers and Cider makers, reflecting the county's status as a premier producer of these commodities. You will also find entries connected to the River Wye, which was crucial for trade and transport before the railway dominance fully took hold.

Music and Culture 1879 was a vibrant year for culture in the county. The famous Three Choirs Festival (rotating between Hereford, Worcester, and Gloucester) was a major event on the social calendar. You may find ancestors listed who were involved in the hospitality trades or as suppliers for the grand events held at the Hereford Cathedral.

Famous People and Notable Residents While the directory lists thousands of everyday residents, it also captures those connected to famous names:

• David Garrick: The legendary Shakespearean actor was born in Hereford in 1717. By 1879, he was long passed, but the directory references local landmarks and streets associated with his legacy and the Garrick family.
• John Kyrle: Known as "The Man of Ross," his philanthropic legacy was still a point of civic pride in Ross-on-Wye during this period.
• The Clive Family: While Robert Clive (Clive of India) died earlier in the century, his family retained significant estates in the county (such as at Walcot), and the directory lists the land agents and staff maintaining these historic properties.

Important Note Regarding Maps

Original directories often came with loose maps that were easily lost or separated over the last 140+ years. Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the original county or town maps are present in this specific scan. However, we have scanned the book exactly as acquired. If the original maps are present in the book we used for digitization, they will be included in your download/CD as a high-value bonus.

Formats Available

• Digital Download: Instant access after purchase. No waiting for shipping.
• CD-ROM: A physical copy sent to you, perfect for archiving or those with limited internet bandwidth.

Uncover the names, addresses, and trades of your Herefordshire ancestors today with this piece of Victorian history!