Kelly's Post Office Directory of London 1916 (Digital Download or CD)

Step back into the heart of London during the Great War with a reproduction of Kelly's Post Office Directory of London 1916. With the 1921 Census being the next major census release after 1911, this directory serves as an absolutely vital "census substitute," allowing family historians to bridge that frustrating 10-year genealogy gap.

Whether you are tracing the movements of your working-class ancestors in the East End or mapping the residential history of wealthy merchants in the West End, this directory provides an unparalleled snapshot of London life in the middle of World War I.

Format & Navigation Details

This product is available via instant digital download or on a standard CD-ROM.

Please note: This directory consists of high-resolution scanned images (PDF format) and is not a word-searchable database. However, because Kelly's directories are meticulously compiled in strict alphabetical order (by both street and surname), navigation is highly intuitive and simple. Furthermore, if you are using a modern PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader DC or newer), the software will perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly, allowing you to use the "Find" (Ctrl+F) function to locate specific surnames, trades, or street names with ease.

What's Inside: Directory Sections

Kelly's directories are the gold standard of historical record-keeping. This 1916 edition is divided into highly useful, distinct sections:

• The Street Directory: An alphabetical listing of London’s streets. Under each street, the house numbers are listed alongside the head of the household or business occupying it. Perfect for tracking exactly who lived next door to your ancestors.
• The Commercial Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and professions (e.g., Bootmakers, Drapers, Undertakers). Under each trade, the individuals and businesses practicing that trade are listed. A goldmine for finding self-employed ancestors.
• The Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of the private addresses of the middle and upper classes—individuals who did not necessarily operate a business from their home address.
• Official & Parliamentary Directory: Details of London’s civil service, government officials, magistrates, and local council representatives.
• Ecclesiastical & Educational Directory: Listings of London's churches, clergy, schools, and charitable institutions operating during the war years.

Bridging the 1911-1921 Census Gap

The 1911 census shows your ancestors before the outbreak of WWI, but what happened to them during the war years? Many men were away fighting, leading to massive shifts in the population. The 1916 directory captures this unique moment in history: you will see women listed as heads of households and running businesses previously dominated by men. You will also see the sudden emergence of war-related trades, such as "Munitions Contractors" and "Red Cross Workers."

London in 1916: Famous Residents & Fascinating Facts

London in 1916 was a city of contrasts—bustling with wartime industry while under the looming threat of Zeppelin air raids. Within these pages, you may cross paths with historical giants and the roots of modern culture:

• Famous Residents: While many famous figures were engaged in the war effort, you can find the London addresses of notable names. Sir Edward Elgar, the legendary composer, was living in Hampstead while composing music for the war effort. Winston Churchill was serving on the Western Front in 1916, but his family home and political base in Westminster would still be listed under his wife's name or his political affiliations. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, living in Crowborough but heavily active in London, had his literary agents and publishers prominently listed.
• Industry & The War Machine: The docks of the East End (West India Docks, Royal Docks) were working at maximum capacity. The directory is filled with listings for engineering firms that had pivoted to manufacturing artillery shells, airplane parts, and military uniforms.
• Music & Entertainment: Despite the war, London's morale relied heavily on its theaters. The London Palladium (opened just a few years prior in 1910) was dominating the music hall scene. You will find listings for theatrical agents, musicians, and stage designers who kept the city entertained.
• Sports: The Football League and Football Association had officially suspended competitive matches due to the war. However, looking at the directory, you will find sports grounds still maintained by groundsmen, and you can trace the birth of women's football—many munitions factories formed their own women's teams whose players are subtly noted in factory records of the era.

Important Disclaimer Regarding Maps

Please Note: Original copies of Kelly’s Directories from this era were often heavily used, and over the last century, the delicate fold-out maps were frequently removed, lost, or damaged beyond scanning. We cannot guarantee that the original pull-out maps of London are present in this specific scan. However, if the maps are intact and included in this digital edition, please consider it a fantastic bonus addition to an already invaluable genealogical resource!

Unlock the doors to your London ancestors' past. Select your preferred format (Digital Download or CD-ROM) and add this essential WWI-era genealogy tool to your cart today.