Kelly's Directory of Bromley, Bickley, Chislehurst & Orpington 1914 (Digital Download or CD)

Step back in time to the eve of the First World War with this fascinating slice of Kentish history.

This invaluable resource for genealogists and local historians provides a detailed snapshot of life in the districts of Bromley, Bickley, Chislehurst, and Orpington as they were in 1914. Published just as the Great War began, this directory captures the final moments of the Edwardian era, listing residents, tradesmen, and local officials before the world changed forever.

Please Note: This directory is a scanned reproduction of the original book. While the images are not text-searchable in the traditional sense, the directory is organized alphabetically by surname and trade, making navigation straightforward and intuitive. Additionally, many modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) offer "OCR on the fly," allowing you to search the text using your reader's search function.

Bridging the Census Gap

The 1911 census is a pivotal marker for family trees, but the next census isn't until 1921. This directory fills that ten-year gap perfectly. It allows you to track where your ancestors were living, their occupations, and their social standing in 1914, offering a crucial update to your family history research between the national counts.

Famous Residents & Historical Connections

The areas covered by this directory were home to wealth and influence in the early 20th century.

• Chislehurst: This directory lists the residents living near the famous Chislehurst Caves. Notably, in 1914, the area was still heavily associated with the French Imperial family. Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, had spent years in exile at Camden Place. While she had moved to Kent by 1914, the estate's history remained a major draw for the wealthy aristocrats listed in these pages.
• Bromley: The birthplace of H.G. Wells, the famous science fiction writer (born 1866). While he had moved away by 1914, his father, Joseph Wells, a shopkeeper and cricketer, was a prominent figure in the town during the late 19th century, and this directory reflects the Bromley that shaped the writer's early life.

Local Facts, Industry & Leisure in 1914

• The Orpington Chicken: By 1914, Orpington was world-famous in the agricultural world due to the work of William Cook. The "Orpington" breed of poultry (especially the Buff Orpington) was a major local industry and export, celebrated for its meat and egg production. The directory is replete with breeders and feed merchants supporting this trade.
• Sport: Cricket was the heart of local sporting life. The directory lists details for the Bromley Cricket Club, one of the oldest in the county, which was a hub for the community. Football was also rising in popularity, with Bromley Football Club (founded 1892) actively competing during this period.
• Industry & Growth: Bromley was transforming from a market town into a bustling London suburb. The directory reflects the growth of the printing industry and the influx of the middle class moving out of London, facilitated by the extensive railway timetables listed within.

What's Inside the Directory?

This comprehensive publication is divided into easy-to-use sections:

1. Street Directory: A listing of the main streets and house numbers, helping you pinpoint exact properties.
2. Commercial Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and businesses (from bakers to wheelwrights), perfect for understanding the local economy.
3. Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private households, listing the head of the house (usually the "gentleman" or professional class).
4. Official & Clerical Directory: Listings of local council officials, magistrates, clergy, and medical officers.
5. Court & Postal Information: Details on local courts, post offices, and money order offices.
6. Conveyance: Railway and omnibus timetables, showing exactly how people traveled to and from the City of London.

Map Disclaimer

Please be aware that original maps were often bound into these directories and, over the last century, have frequently been removed or lost. We cannot guarantee that a map is present in this specific scan. However, if the original map is included in the book we scanned, it will be included here as a fascinating bonus!

Format: You can purchase this product as a CD-ROM (mailed to you) or as a Digital Download (instant access). The files are in high-quality PDF format, compatible with Windows, Mac, and tablets.

Unlock the secrets of your Kentish ancestors today!