Barrett's Directory of Preston & District 1917 – Digital Download or CD

Product Description

Unlock the history of your ancestors and the streets of Preston during the First World War with this exact digital replica of Barrett's Directory of Preston & District 1917.

This invaluable resource for genealogists and local historians provides a fascinating snapshot of life in Lancashire one hundred years ago. Whether you are tracing your family tree or researching the history of your house, this directory bridges the gap between the 1911 Census and the 1921 Census, offering you a crucial window into a period of immense social change.

Format & Navigation

Please Note: This directory is a high-quality scan of the original book, consisting of digitized images, not a text-transcribed document.

• Navigation: While the text is not natively searchable, the directory is intuitively organized alphabetically by surname and trade, making it remarkably easy to locate specific individuals.
• Modern Technology: Most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) offer "OCR on the fly," allowing you to search the text using the "Find" function once the file is open.

What’s Inside?

This comprehensive directory is divided into detailed sections to help you piece together the daily lives of Preston residents:

1. Official Directory: Listings of local government officials, magistrates, and public officers, covering the civic machinery of the town.
2. Commercial & Trade Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and professions. Find out if your ancestor was a butcher, baker, or cotton mill owner.
3. Street Directory: A house-by-house listing of the principal streets in Preston. Essential for determining who lived at a specific address in 1917.
4. Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private citizens, often the head of the household, useful for tracing middle-class families who may not appear in trade sections.
5. Court Directory: Listings for the gentry, professionals, and clergy of the district.
6. Advertisements: Period advertisements for local businesses, offering a colorful look at the products and services available to Prestonians during the WWI era.

Bridging the Census Gaps

For genealogists, the years surrounding World War I are notoriously difficult. The 1911 Census was the last national survey until 1921. With the 1931 Census destroyed by fire and the 1941 Census cancelled due to WWII, directories like this 1917 edition are often the only way to confirm where a family lived between the 1911 and 1921 counts. This is particularly vital for tracking young men who may have left home to serve in the war, or families who moved due to the booming wartime industries.

Preston in 1917: Local History & Context

This directory captures Preston at a pivotal moment. Known as the gateway to Lancashire, the town was a hub of industry and sport.

• Industry: In 1917, Preston was dominated by the textile industry. The directory is filled with merchants connected to the "Cottonopolis" trade. Additionally, with the Great War in full swing, local engineering works were likely repurposed for munitions manufacturing.
• Sport: Preston North End FC ("The Lilywhites") was already a historic institution. As one of the founding members of the Football League, the club was deeply embedded in the local culture. Deepdale stadium, which remains their home today, would have been a focal point for the community seeking distraction from the war.
• The Preston Guild: The unique tradition of the Preston Guild—only held every 20 years—was a major event. The previous Guild was held in 1912, just five years prior, meaning the economic and social ripples of that massive celebration would still have been influencing the town's merchants and residents in this directory.
• Notable Residents & Associations:
  • Florence Nightingale: While she passed away in 1910, the Nightingale family had deep roots in the area (Lea Hall), and their name or estates may still appear in local records or references.
  • Edith Rigby: A prominent suffragette and local activist from Preston, known for her radical activities in the years leading up to WWI.
  • Sir Richard Arkwright: The "Father of the Industrial Revolution" was born in the nearby parish of Bolton, and his legacy of mills would still define the region's architecture and economy in 1917.

Map Availability Notice

Disclaimer: While this directory contains a wealth of written information, please be aware that original street maps were not included in the source material for this specific 1917 edition. However, the detailed Street Directory section allows you to navigate the town layout effectively by listing house numbers and occupants.

Product Specifications

• Format: PDF (Digital Download or CD-ROM).
• Compatibility: Works with any PDF reader on PC, Mac, or Tablet.
• Searchable: Via OCR functionality of modern PDF readers.

Step back in time and walk the streets of Preston with your ancestors. Order your copy of Barrett's 1917 Directory today!