Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1933 (Census Substitute)

Discover your ancestors in the "Garden of England" with this essential genealogy guide.

Unlock the history of Lincolnshire in 1933 with this high-quality digital reproduction of Kelly's Directory. As the 1931 Census was destroyed by fire during the Second World War and no census was taken in 1941 due to the conflict, this directory serves as a vital Census Substitute, bridging the 20-year genealogy gap between 1921 and 1951.

Whether you are tracing family roots, researching local history, or exploring the social structure of interwar Lincolnshire, this directory provides an invaluable snapshot of the county just as the storm clouds of World War II were beginning to gather.

Product Format & Navigation

• Format: Available as a high-quality Digital Download or on CD.
• Scanned Images: This is a faithful facsimile of the original book, consisting of scanned images to preserve the authentic look and feel.
• Navigability: While the text is not embedded (searchable) in the traditional sense, the directory is meticulously alphabetized by town and village, making it incredibly easy to navigate to the section you need.
• Modern Compatibility: Most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) "on the fly," allowing you to search for surnames or specific keywords using your reader's built-in search function.

What’s Inside? A Detailed Breakdown

This comprehensive directory is divided into several key sections to assist your research:

1. County Information & Statistics A detailed sketch of the county, including topography, geology, and an extensive list of the Magistrates for the county.

2. The Court Directory (Private Residents) An alphabetical listing of private residents (the gentry, clergy, and prominent citizens) living in Lincolnshire at the time. This is often the only place where "middle-class" ancestors are listed, as they do not appear in standard trade directories.

3. The Trades Directory A classified commercial directory listing businesses and tradespeople by occupation. From blacksmiths in Brigg to drapers in Louth, this section reveals what your ancestors did for a living and allows you to visualize the high streets of 1933.

4. Town & Village Histories Individual histories for major towns (Lincoln, Grantham, Boston, Grimsby, Louth, Skegness) and smaller villages. These include information on local government, churches, schools, and transport connections.

5. Parliamentary & Official Lists Details of the Members of Parliament, local council officials, and public officers.

Lincolnshire Life in 1933: Context & Interest

The 1931 Census Gap This directory is one of the most important resources for Lincolnshire genealogists. With the loss of the 1931 Census, Kelly’s 1933 is the primary method for locating families between the 1921 and 1951 censuses.

Famous Connections Lincolnshire has a rich history of producing great minds and leaders. While this directory lists the contemporary residents of 1933, it covers the very soil walked by historical giants. It is the county of Sir Isaac Newton (Woolsthorpe) and the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson (Somersby). In 1933, the directory would list the custodians of these legacies and the local dignitaries preserving this heritage.

Industry & Economy 1933 In 1933, Lincolnshire was a mix of booming agriculture and heavy industry.

• Agriculture: Known as the "Breadbasket of England," the directory is full of farmers, maltsters, and millers. The sugar beet industry was thriving, with major factories in places like Spalding and Brigg.
• Engineering: The City of Lincoln was a powerhouse of engineering, home to Ruston & Hornsby and Fosters, famous for building the tanks that would later be used in the war. The directory lists the engineers and managers working in these pivotal plants.
• Fishing: Grimsby remained the world's premier fishing port, and this directory contains a massive section for the town, listing trawler owners, mariners, and fish merchants.

Sport & Leisure 1933 was a great year for local sport. Lincoln City FC and Grimsby Town FC (The Mariners) were drawing crowds, and the directory lists the officials and committee members of these clubs, as well as local golf clubs and cricket societies that were the heart of social life.

Map Note & Disclaimer

Please be aware that original publishers occasionally omitted maps from specific town sections to save costs or due to printing errors. While we strive to provide the complete book, we cannot guarantee the presence of a map for every specific location. However, should the original scan contain a map, it is included here as a fantastic bonus to aid your research.