Kelly's Directory Of Kent 1882

Kelly's Directory of Kent 1882: Your Time Capsule to Victorian England

Unlock the Door to 1882 Kent. Step back into the heart of the Victorian era and explore the "Garden of England" as it truly was.

This is not merely a book; it is a key. A key that unlocks the vibrant, bustling, and meticulously documented world of Kent in the year 1882. For the family historian, the local researcher, or the avid lover of Victorian history, Kelly's Directory is an indispensable treasure trove, offering a vivid snapshot of a county on the cusp of modernity, still deeply rooted in tradition.

Compiled with the characteristic precision of the Kelly's company, this directory is more than a list of names and addresses. It is a living document of community, commerce, and society, providing unparalleled insight into the lives of our ancestors and the places they called home.

What Awaits You Inside? A Wealth of Discovery:
This comprehensive volume is meticulously structured to guide your research, offering a multi-layered view of Victorian Kent:

County Information: Begin your journey with a detailed overview of Kent itself. Discover the principal towns, transport links (including railways and coach services in their prime), postal services, and a comprehensive list of county officials, magistrates, and clergy. This section sets the stage for the rich detail to follow.
The Court Directory (or "Private Residents"): The genealogist's goldmine. This section lists the principal private residents, landowners, gentry, and professionals across the county. It's your chance to locate your ancestors, see their social standing, and identify their neighbours, building a picture of their immediate world.
The Commercial & Trades Directory: Walk the high streets of 1882. This alphabetical list of every tradesman, merchant, and artisan—from the blacksmith in a small village to the draper in a bustling market town—reveals the economic heartbeat of each community. Find out who ran the local pub, who baked the bread, and who built the furniture.
Parish & Town Histories: For many major towns and villages, the directory provides fascinating historical sketches, detailing their origins, notable buildings, churches, schools, and local landmarks. This adds rich context to the names and addresses, bringing the places to life

For Whom is This Indispensable Resource?
The Genealogist: Break down brick walls in your family tree. Confirm an ancestor's residence, discover their occupation, and find their relatives and associates. It's the perfect companion to census records.
The Local Historian: Reconstruct the social and economic fabric of your town or village. Understand its industries, its key figures, and how it functioned as a community over 140 years ago.
The House Historian: Uncover the history of your period property. Find out who lived there in 1882 and what their profession was, adding a fascinating chapter to your home's story.
The Social Historian & Author: Gain authentic, first-hand details for your research or writing. Discover the names of pubs, the types of shops available, and the structure of local government to paint a true-to-life picture of Victorian society.
A Glimpse into the Past
Imagine turning the pages and finding your great-great-grandfather, a baker in Tunbridge Wells, listed next to the grocer and the solicitor. Picture the map of Canterbury, showing the narrow streets your ancestors walked on their way to the cathedral. Feel the texture of a community where the local squire, the parish priest, and the village shopkeeper were all recorded side-by-side, their lives intertwined in the fabric of the county