Kelly's Directory of Kilburn, Willesden, Cricklewood & Harlesden 1936 (Census Substitute)

Unlock the history of Northwest London in the pivotal year of 1936.

Step back into the interwar era with this high-quality reproduction of Kelly’s Directory for Kilburn, Willesden, Cricklewood, and Harlesden. This essential genealogy resource serves as a perfect "Census Substitute," bridging the critical gap left by the destruction of the 1931 Census and the privacy restrictions of the 1939 Register.

Whether you are tracing your family tree, researching the history of your house, or exploring the social history of Middlesex, this directory provides a snapshot of life on the brink of the Second World War.

Navigating the Directory

This directory is a scan of the original 1936 publication, preserved in PDF format. Please note that because the text is a scanned image, the file itself is not digitally indexed. However, the directory is organized alphabetically by section, making manual navigation straightforward and intuitive.

Tip: While the file is not text-searchable in older readers, many modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) perform "OCR on the fly." This means you can often use the search function (Ctrl+F) to locate surnames or street names, though accuracy depends on the clarity of the original print.

What’s Inside?

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

1. Street Directory: An alphabetical list of streets in Kilburn, Willesden, Cricklewood, and Harlesden, showing the house numbers and the names of the heads of households occupying them. Invaluable for tracing who lived in your house 80 years ago.
2. Commercial Directory: A classified list of trades and professions. Find out where the local bakers, drapers, and builders were located.
3. Private Residents: An alphabetical list of private residents, often distinguishing between tradesmen and private citizens—great for finding the middle-class ancestors who didn't run a business.
4. Official Information: Details of the Borough Council, Magistrates, Clergy, and local officials, as well as a calendar of events and postal information.

Why 1936? The Census Gap

For genealogists, 1936 is a historically significant "blind spot." The 1931 Census was destroyed by fire during WWII, and we won’t see the 1921 Census as a standard searchable resource for every year in between. This directory allows you to pinpoint exactly where your ancestors were living and what they were doing during this lost decade.

Local History: Life in 1936

This directory captures a rapidly changing area. By 1936, Willesden and its neighbours were transforming from leafy Middlesex villages into bustling industrial hubs of the London conurbation.

• The Industrial Boom: 1936 was a massive year for local industry. The iconic Guinness Brewery at Park Royal (on the borders of Willesden and Acton) was in full swing following its opening in the mid-30s, becoming a major employer for thousands of local residents listed in these pages.
• Famous Residents: The area was home to several notable figures during this era. Keep an eye out for Dame Peggy Ashcroft, the renowned actress who spent parts of her early career in the area, and Joan Sims, the beloved Carry On star, who was born in Willesden in 1930 and would have been a young child living in the district at the time of this publication.
• Sport & Leisure: The area was sporting mad. While Wembley Stadium (just on the border) hosted the famous 1936 FA Cup Final (Arsenal vs Sheffield Wednesday), the local leagues in Willesden and Kilburn were thriving, with many local pub and factory teams listed in the trades section.
• Transport: The "Metro-land" effect was in full force, with the London Underground bringing thousands of new commuters to the semi-detached houses of Cricklewood and Harlesden.

Important Note Regarding Maps

Disclaimer: Please be aware that due to the age and binding of the original source book, some fold-out maps may have been damaged, torn, or missing prior to scanning. Every effort has been made to preserve the existing pages. However, if the original maps were present and in good condition, they are included here as a valuable bonus to help you navigate the old parish boundaries.

Product Details

• Format: PDF (Digital Download) or CD-ROM
• Year: 1936
• Regions Covered: Kilburn, Willesden, Cricklewood, Harlesden, and surrounding environs.
• Compatibility: Readable on any computer, tablet, or phone with a PDF reader.

Reconnect with your Northwest London roots today!