Kelly's Directory Of Ealing Acton Hanwell Brentford Gunnersbury & Chiswick 1907

Kelly's Directory of Ealing, Acton, Hanwell, Brentford, Gunnersbury & Chiswick 1907 (Digital Download or CD-ROM)

Unlock the Doors to Edwardian West London

Step back into 1907 with this high-quality digital reproduction of Kelly's Directory of Ealing, Acton, Hanwell, Brentford, Gunnersbury & Chiswick. Whether you are a genealogist tracing your family tree, a local historian, or a house historian, this invaluable resource provides a fascinating snapshot of life in the twilight of the Edwardian era.

Available as an instant digital download or on a convenient CD-ROM, this directory is presented as a series of high-resolution, scanned images (PDF format). While the original text is not embedded as a searchable document, the highly organized, alphabetical nature of Kelly's Directories makes navigating to the exact person, street, or trade you need remarkably easy. Pro Tip: Most modern PDF readers (like Adobe Acrobat) perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly, meaning you can often use the "Ctrl+F" search function directly within the software to find surnames and addresses instantly!

Bridging the Census Gap The 1907 release date makes this directory an essential "census substitute." It sits perfectly in the gap between the 1901 and the 1911 censuses, allowing you to track the movements of your ancestors, verify addresses, and discover their occupations during a period of rapid suburban expansion in West London.

A Glimpse into the Local Area in 1907 The turn of the 20th century was a time of massive transformation for these West London boroughs. As you browse the pages, you will be reading about a region buzzing with industry and early suburban life:

• Acton: Known affectionately (or otherwise) as "Soapville," Acton was the manufacturing powerhouse of London. The directory is filled with workers and owners associated with the massive soap works, laundries, and dye factories that dominated the area.
• Ealing: Often called the "Queen of the Suburbs," Ealing was rapidly expanding with middle-class professionals. Just a few years after this directory was published, Ealing Studios would officially open, laying the groundwork for Britain's film industry.
• Brentford: A thriving industrial town situated on the Thames. You will find details of the local breweries (like Fuller’s), the Thames ironworks, and the bustling docks. Brentford FC, founded in 1889, was also making its mark in local sports at this time.
• Chiswick & Gunnersbury: More genteel and riverside-focused, these areas were home to boating clubs, aristocratic estates, and market gardening. A young Charlie Chaplin lived in Chiswick for a time as a child, and the legacy of historical figures like the artist William Hogarth (whose house still stands) permeates the area's history.

What’s Inside? (Section Breakdown) This comprehensive volume is divided into highly useful sections:

1. Historical & Topographical Information: Detailed descriptions of each town, parish, and hamlet, including local government, churches, schools, and institutions.
2. Street Directory: An alphabetical list of streets, detailing the head of the household at every address.
3. Commercial Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and professions—perfect for finding out what your great-grandfather did for a living, from blacksmiths to boot makers.
4. Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the private, professional, and gentry classes residing in the area (excludes commercial traders).
5. Official & Appendices: Information on local magistrates, postal routes, and carriers.
6. Contemporary Advertisements: A goldmine for local historians! Gorgeous, period-correct ads for local businesses, ranging from Victorian pharmacies to local dairies and carriage builders.

Important Map Disclaimer Please note: Because this directory has been reproduced from a surviving original archive, the original fold-out maps that may have accompanied the 1907 edition are occasionally missing or too damaged to scan. We have included any available maps in this digital edition, but if the map is absent, it is a reflection of the original source book we scanned. Consider any included maps a fantastic bonus!

Format Requirements

• Digital Download: You will receive a link to download a .ZIP file containing the PDF. Requires software capable of extracting .zip files and a PDF reader.
• CD-ROM: Shipped via post. Requires a CD/DVD-ROM drive and a PDF reader.