Bennett’s Business Directory For Leicestershire & Rutland 1888 (Digital Download or CD)

Step back into the late Victorian era with this complete republishing of Bennett’s Business Directory for Leicestershire & Rutland from 1888.

Whether you are a family historian looking to bridge the gap between the 1881 and 1891 censuses, or a local historian researching the evolution of Leicestershire’s industry, this directory is an invaluable resource. This fascinating snapshot of history covers the Golden Jubilee year of Queen Victoria, offering a unique view of life in the East Midlands during the height of the Industrial Revolution.

Format & Navigation

This product is a high-quality digital reproduction of the original book, consisting of scanned images. Please note that the text is not embedded or searchable in the traditional sense. However, thanks to the alphabetical arrangement of the entries and the intelligent OCR capabilities of modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat), you can often search for names and places with great success. Furthermore, the alphabetical structure makes manual navigation intuitive and simple.

Why This Directory is Essential

The 10-year gap between the UK census releases can be a brick wall for genealogists. This 1888 directory acts as a perfect "census substitute," allowing you to pinpoint exactly where your ancestors lived and what they did for a living halfway between the 1881 and 1891 counts.

What’s Inside: Section Breakdown

This comprehensive volume is divided into easy-to-navigate sections:

• Court Directory: A listing of private residents, gentry, and professionals arranged alphabetically by surname.
• Commercial & Trades Directory: A classified list of businesses and traders. From Blacksmiths in Oakham to Boot & Shoe Manufacturers in Leicester, this section details the commercial backbone of the county.
• Town & Village Histories: Detailed descriptions of the topography, local government, and major landmarks of the towns within Leicestershire and Rutland.
• Street Directories (Major Towns): For the larger urban areas like Leicester and Loughborough, street-by-street listings help you locate specific houses.

Historical Context & Famous Faces (1888)

Leicestershire in 1888 was a hive of activity, blending rural traditions with booming industry.

• The Father of Modern Tourism: Thomas Cook, founder of the famous travel agency, was a prominent resident of Leicester. By 1888, his company was well-established, arranging tours for the Victorian public to explore the globe.
• Sporting History: 1888 was a pivotal year for sport. Leicester Fosse (which would later become Leicester City FC) was founded in 1884 and was playing competitive fixtures around this time, while the Leicester Tigers rugby club had been formed just eight years prior and was gaining traction.
• Industry: The county was the heart of the British footwear industry. Walk down the virtual pages and you will see hundreds of boot and shoe manufacturers, alongside hosiery and engineering works that powered the local economy.

Interesting Facts About the Area

• The Bellfoundry: Loughborough was home to John Taylor & Co Bellfounders, already world-renowned by 1888 for casting some of the largest bells in the world (including "Great Paul").
• Rutland's Status: In 1888, Rutland was still a distinct administrative county (famously England's smallest), maintaining its unique identity separate from Leicestershire.
• Music & Culture: The region had a thriving musical culture, with numerous brass bands and choral societies listed in the directory, reflecting the Victorian love for public performance.

Map Disclaimer

Please be advised that due to the age and condition of the original source material, some fold-out maps or street plans may have been missing or too damaged to include in this scan. However, where maps are present, they have been included as a valuable bonus to assist your research.

Product Options

This product is available as a physical CD mailed to your door, or as an instant Digital Download for immediate access.