Kelly's Directory of Leicestershire & Rutland 1932 [Digital Download or CD]

Step back in time and explore the streets of Leicestershire and Rutland as they were nearly a century ago.

This high-quality reproduction of Kelly's Directory of Leicestershire & Rutland 1932 is an essential resource for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching family history in the East Midlands. Since the 1931 Census was destroyed by fire during the Second World War, this directory serves as a vital Census Substitute, bridging the gap between the 1921 Census and the 1939 Register.

Why You Need This Directory

Unlike standard census records which merely list heads of households, Kelly's Directory provides a fascinating snapshot of daily life and commerce. You will discover where your ancestors lived, their occupations, and their standing within the community.

What's Inside?

This comprehensive volume is meticulously structured to help you find exactly what you are looking for:

• County Information: A detailed history and topography of Leicestershire and Rutland, including administrative information, magistrates, and geology.
• Court Directory (Private Residents): An alphabetical list of private residents (the "gentry" and professionals) for the entire county.
• Street Directory: Detailed listings of streets in major towns (like Leicester, Loughborough, and Oakham) with the householder's name listed alongside the street address.
• Commercial & Trades Directory: A classified list of businesses and tradesmen. Find out who the local bakers, blacksmiths, and drapers were, and see if your ancestor's business is advertised.
• Parish & Town Directory: Every village, no matter how small, is listed with its local clergy, farmers, shopkeepers, and publicans.

A Glimpse of 1932: Local History & Context

The year 1932 was a time of change, sitting between the Great Depression and the approach of WWII. Leicestershire and Rutland were thriving hubs of agriculture and industry.

• Industry: In 1932, Leicester was known as the workshop of the world, dominating the boot and shoe manufacturing industry. You will find hundreds of entries for factories, tanneries, and hosiery firms that fueled the local economy. Loughborough was famous for its bell founding (John Taylor & Co) and railway engineering.
• Famous Residents & Connections:
  • The Attenborough Family: In 1932, a young David Attenborough (born 1926) would have been a toddler living at College House on the campus of University College, Leicester, where his father, Frederick, was the Principal.
  • Joe Orton: The future playwright, born in Leicester in 1933, was just about to be born to working-class parents who may be listed in the manual trades sections of this very directory.
  • Sir John Northcote: Notable local figures and landed gentry of the time are listed in the Court Directory.
• Sport: Leicester Tigers were already a formidable force in rugby union, and Leicester City FC (The Foxes) were playing at Filbert Street. Look for the names of committee members and players in the residential lists.
• Music & Culture: The Leicester Philharmonic Society was active, and the city hosted a vibrant scene of theatres and cinemas, many of which are advertised in the commercial pages.

Technical Details & Navigation

• Format: This product is a digital PDF scan of the original book. It is available as an Instant Digital Download or on a CD.
• Searchability: Please note that because these are scanned images of the original text, the document is not internally indexed for keyword searching. However, the directory is alphabetically arranged by surname and trade, making manual navigation straightforward and intuitive.
• OCR Compatibility: Most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser viewers) now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly. This means you can often use the "Find" (Ctrl+F) function to search for surnames, place names, or street names, enhancing the usability of the images significantly.

Map Disclaimer

Please be aware that original directories often had maps removed or damaged over the last 90 years. While every effort has been made to preserve the content, we cannot guarantee the presence of the original fold-out maps in this scan. If the maps are present and legible, please treat them as a bonus addition to an already comprehensive resource.