Kelly's Directory of Huntingdonshire 1910 (Digital Download or CD)

Step back in time and explore the lives of your ancestors with this complete republishing of Kelly’s Directory of Huntingdonshire 1910.

Available as a convenient digital download or on a physical CD-ROM, this fascinating historical resource provides a snapshot of life in the county just before the First World War. Perfect for genealogists, local historians, or anyone curious about the heritage of Huntingdonshire, this directory offers a detailed look at the people, places, and trades of the era.

Navigation & Searchability

Please note that this directory is a high-quality scan of the original 1910 book, consisting of digitized images of the text. While it is not text-searchable in the traditional sense (you cannot press Ctrl+F to jump to a name), it is incredibly easy to navigate. The directory is structured alphabetically by town and village, and then alphabetically by surname within those locations.

Furthermore, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) now feature "OCR on the fly." This means the software can read the text from the images, allowing you to use the search function within your PDF viewer to locate specific surnames, street names, or trades instantly.

What's Inside: Directory Contents

This comprehensive volume is divided into several key sections to aid your research:

• County Information: A detailed history of Huntingdonshire, including its topography, ancient monuments, and statistics on agriculture and population.
• Court Directory: Listings of the gentry, clergy, and major landowners residing in the county at the time.
• Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private households, essential for tracing family movements.
• Trades Directory: A classified list of businesses and tradesmen, from Blacksmiths to Wheelwrights, showing the commercial landscape of the town.
• Towns & Villages: Detailed street-by-street directories for major hubs like Huntingdon, St. Ives, St. Neots, Ramsey, and Godmanchester, as well as smaller parishes.

Bridging the Census Gaps

For genealogists, directories are vital for filling the "ten-year gaps" between the National Censuses.

• The 1901 Gap: By 1910, families have moved, children have left home, and new marriages have occurred. This directory helps you track where your ancestors were living a decade after the 1901 Census.
• Pre-1911 Context: The 1911 Census was taken in April. This directory, published late in 1910, serves as a perfect precursor, confirming that a family was established in a specific location just months before the next census was recorded.

Local History & Famous Connections

Huntingdonshire in 1910 was a county transitioning from its ancient agricultural roots into the modern industrial age.

• Famous Residents: This directory lists the residents of Hinchingbrooke House, the historic seat of the Earls of Sandwich. You will also find details on the legacy of Oliver Cromwell, the town’s most famous son, with references to his birthplace and the Cromwellian history that permeates the town.
• Industrial Heritage: While agriculture remained the primary industry, the directory highlights the growth of brick making (notably in the Fletton area) and the brewing trade, which were major employers in the region.
• Sport & Leisure: The county had a strong sporting culture, particularly in Rowing on the River Great Ouse at St. Ives and Cricket. The Huntingdonshire County Cricket Club was active during this period, and local team fixtures are often mentioned in the local advertisements.
• Music & Culture: Look out for advertisements for local Brass Bands and the Mechanics' Institutes, which served as cultural hubs for music and lectures in towns like Ramsey and St. Neots.

Map Disclaimer

Please note: Due to the age of the original source material, pull-out maps were sometimes torn out or lost by previous owners before scanning. We have made every effort to preserve the original book in its entirety. While we cannot guarantee the presence of the original county map, if it is included in this scan, it serves as a wonderful bonus to help you visualize the county boundaries and parish lines in 1910.