Kelly's Directory of Liverpool & Suburbs 1966 (Digital Download or CD)

Unlock the history of Liverpool in the swinging sixties!

Step back into 1966 with this exact digital replica of Kelly's Directory of Liverpool & Suburbs. Whether you are tracing your family tree, researching the history of your house, or simply fascinated by the social history of Merseyside, this directory is an invaluable resource.

Available as a Digital Download or on CD-ROM.

Navigating the Directory

Please note that this directory is a high-quality scan of the original book, consisting of images rather than embedded text. Consequently, it is not fully searchable in the traditional sense. However, don't worry! The directory is organized alphabetically by section, making navigation straightforward. Furthermore, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the fly, allowing you to use the "Find" function to locate specific names or streets with ease.

Why 1966 Matters: Bridging the Census Gap

For genealogists, 1966 is a critical year. The 1931 Census was destroyed in the war, and the 1939 Register is already widely available. However, there is a long wait for the 1961 Census (due for release in 2062) and the 1971 Census (due for release in 2072). This directory acts as a perfect census substitute, placing your ancestors at a specific address halfway through the swinging sixties.

Liverpool in 1966: A Snapshot in Time

This directory captures Liverpool at a peak of cultural vibrancy and industrial change.

• The Football Capital of England: 1966 was a golden year for Liverpool football. While England won the World Cup on home soil, locally it was a year of dominance for Liverpool FC, who had won the First Division title the previous season (1965-66) under the legendary Bill Shankly. Meanwhile, Everton FC had just secured the FA Cup in 1966. The directory lists the players and officials residing in the area during this glory era.
• Industry & Commerce: The docks were still the heartbeat of the city, though the winds of change were blowing. The directory features listings for the major shipping lines, as well as the booming automotive industry at the Ford Halewood plant, which had opened just a few years prior and was a major employer in the suburbs.
• Music & Culture: The "Merseybeat" sound had conquered the world. While The Beatles were spending less time in Liverpool by 1966, their families remained here. You may find relatives of the Fab Four, as well as listings for other local luminaries like comedian Ken Dodd (still a resident of Knotty Ash) and singer Cilla Black, who was born and raised in the city.

What's Inside the Directory?

This comprehensive volume is packed with detailed information divided into clear sections:

1. Street Directory: An alphabetical list of streets in Liverpool and its suburbs, showing the head of the household or business occupying each property. Essential for house historians.
2. Commercial Directory: A classified list of trades and professions. From tailors to timbers merchants, find out what businesses were operating in 1966.
3. Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the private residents of the city, often including their occupations—a great way to find where the middle classes lived.
4. Official & Municipal Information: Detailed listings of the City Council officials, emergency services, hospitals, churches, schools, and public institutions.
5. Suburban Districts: Included are extensive listings for surrounding areas such as Bootle, Birkenhead, Wallasey, Huyton, and Crosby.

Important Disclaimer regarding Maps

Please note: The original 1966 publication occasionally had variations in inclusion. While this directory contains a wealth of information, some maps may be missing from the original scan or were not included in the printed edition.

System Requirements: Compatible with any computer or device capable of reading PDF files.