Kelly's Directory Of Ealing Hanwell Brentford & Southall 1914

Kelly's Directory of Ealing, Hanwell, Brentford & Southall 1914 (Digital Download or CD-ROM)

Product Description:

Step back into the twilight of the Edwardian era and the eve of the First World War with this exquisite reproduction of Kelly's Directory of Ealing, Hanwell, Brentford & Southall 1914. An essential addition to any London or Middlesex genealogist’s toolkit, this directory provides a fascinating snapshot of life, trade, and society in West London just before the world changed forever.

Bridging the Census Gap For family historians, the period between 1911 and 1921 can be a frustrating "black hole." The 1911 census is the last fully open return, and the 1921 census is highly restricted. This 1914 directory acts as the perfect bridge, allowing you to pinpoint exactly where your ancestors lived and worked during this missing five-year window.

Navigating the Directory: Format & Tech Specs Please note that this directory consists of high-resolution scanned images (PDF format) and is not a text-searchable database. However, do not let this deter you! Because Kelly's directories are meticulously organized alphabetically by surname and by street/trade, locating your ancestors is incredibly straightforward. Simply use the provided bookmarks or scroll to the correct alphabetical section. Furthermore, if you are using a modern PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat), the software will perform "OCR on the fly," allowing you to use the Ctrl+F (Find) function to search for surnames, street names, or trades once the page has loaded.

What's Inside: Section by Section This comprehensive volume is packed with detailed information, including:

• Historical & Topographical Information: Detailed histories of Ealing, Hanwell, Brentford, and Southall, including local government officials, magistrates, and clergy.
• Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private households, showing the head of the family and their street address.
• Commercial Directory: Alphabetical listings of local tradesmen, shopkeepers, and business owners.
• Trades & Professions Directory: A classified directory organized by occupation (e.g., bakers, blacksmiths, boot makers), perfect for finding specific businesses.
• Official Information: Details on local councils, post offices, police stations, hospitals, schools, and places of worship with service times.
• Street Directory (where applicable): A house-by-house listing of principal streets.

A Glimpse into 1914: Famous Faces & Local Facts The areas covered by this directory were bustling hubs of industry, early cinema, and sport in 1914:

• The Birthplace of Cinema: Ealing was already establishing its cinematic legacy. By 1914, Will Barker’s studio (the precursor to the world-famous Ealing Studios) was operational, making this area a pioneer in the British film industry.
• Sporting Pioneers: Brentford was a proud rugby and football town. Brentford Football Club (founded in 1889) was playing at their Griffin Park ground, and you can find the names of the club's early officials and local sportsmen within these pages.
• Industrial Powerhouses: Brentford was dominated by its massive brewing industry (including the famous Fuller, Smith & Turner brewery) and the engineering works. Southall was rapidly expanding as an industrial powerhouse, heavily reliant on the Great Western Railway and home to major employers like Price's Patent Candle Company.
• Notable Residents: While a young Charlie Chaplin had only recently left the Brentford workhouse to pursue his acting career, the area was home to wealthy industrialists, prominent politicians, and the families of the future "Ealing Comedies" generation. Sir Montague Sharpe, a notable Middlesex judge and local historian, was highly active in Ealing during this exact period.

Important Disclaimer Regarding Maps Please Note: Original copies of this directory were often rebound by previous owners, and as a result, the original folding map was frequently removed, lost, or damaged over the last century. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that the map is present in this edition. However, if the original map is included in our scanned source copy, we consider it a fantastic bonus and have left it intact for your enjoyment!

Available Formats: Choose the format that suits your research style:

• Digital Download: Instant access after purchase. Download the PDF files directly to your computer or tablet and start researching immediately.
• CD-ROM: Mailed directly to your door. Perfect for those who prefer a physical backup or have slower internet connections.

Unlock the doors to your West London ancestry today!