Lascelles's Directory Of Herefordshire 1851

Lascelles's Directory of Herefordshire 1851 - Digital Download or CD

Product Description:

Unlock the history of your ancestors and the county of Herefordshire with this fascinating republishing of Lascelles's Directory of 1851. A vital resource for genealogists and local historians, this directory offers a snapshot of life in the mid-Victorian era, perfectly bridging the gap between the 1841 and 1861 censuses.

Product Features & Format This product is available as a high-quality digital download or on a convenient CD.

• Scanned Images: The directory consists of high-resolution scanned images of the original pages, preserving the authentic look and feel of the Victorian era.
• Navigation: While the text is not embedded/searchable in the traditional sense, the directory is organized alphabetically by parish and trade, making manual navigation straightforward and intuitive.
• Modern Compatibility: Please note that while the file is a static scan, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or Edge browser) now offer "Run OCR" on the fly. This allows your computer to recognize the text visually, enabling you to search for specific surnames or keywords using your reader's search function.

Why this 1851 Directory is Essential The 1851 Census was a watershed moment in genealogy, being the first to record exact ages, relationships, and birthplaces. However, your ancestors didn't stand still. This directory helps you confirm their residence between census years and provides details the census did not, such as:

• Occupations & Trades: Find out if your ancestor was a Blacksmith, a Publican, or a Grocer.
• Private Residents: Listings of the gentry and nobility living in the area.
• Census Gaps: If you have lost track of a family between 1841 and 1861, this directory serves as the perfect "census substitute" to pinpoint their location in this specific year.

Contents of the Directory This comprehensive volume is divided into easy-to-use sections:

1. County Information: Historical and geological descriptions of Herefordshire.
2. Court Directory (Alphabetical): Private residents and nobility listed by surname.
3. Town & Village Directory (Alphabetical): A street-by-street and trade-by-trade breakdown of major towns (Hereford, Ross, Ledbury, Leominster) and every village in the county.
4. Trades Directory: Classified listings of professions and businesses—crucial for tracing ancestors who were tradesmen.
5. Advertisements: Period advertisements offering a glimpse into the goods and services available to Victorians.

Herefordshire in 1851: Context & Curiosities As you browse through the pages, you are viewing a county on the cusp of the modern industrial age, yet deeply rooted in agriculture.

• The Cider Industry: By 1851, Herefordshire was already establishing its reputation as the premier cider-producing county in England. You will find numerous coopers, cider merchants, and apple growers listed within these pages.
• The Three Choirs Festival: This famous musical festival, rotating between Hereford, Worcester, and Gloucester, was a major social event. The directory lists the local clergy and civic leaders who organized this prestigious cultural gathering.
• Famous Residents & Connections:
  • Nell Gwynn: Though she lived in the 17th century, this era saw a romanticization of Hereford’s most famous daughter. You will find references to her legacy and the public houses named in her honor.
  • Lord Bateman: Of Shobdon Court, a prominent landowner and figure in county society, likely listed among the gentry.
  • The Elgar Connection: While Sir Edward Elgar was not born until 1857 (in nearby Broadheath, Worcestershire), his future deep connection to Herefordshire began with the musicians and choirmasters active in the city during this period.
• Sport: Cricket was becoming popular in the market towns; look for cricket grounds listed in the town descriptions.

Map Disclaimer & Bonus Please Note: Due to the age and fragility of original source materials, the fold-out map sometimes included in the binding of these directories is often missing or too damaged to reproduce. We have made every effort to include it if available. Bonus: If the original map is present and legible in the source book we scanned, it will be included as a high-resolution bonus image in this download/CD.