The Post Office Directory Of Norfolk 1879

The Post Office Directory of Norfolk 1879 - Digital Download or CD-ROM

Product Description:

Step back into Victorian Norfolk with this high-quality digital reproduction of The Post Office Directory of Norfolk 1879. An absolute must-have for genealogists and local historians, this directory serves as the perfect "census substitute" to bridge the vital ten-year gap between the 1871 and 1881 censuses. Whether your ancestors were wealthy landowners, tradesmen, or agricultural labourers, this directory will place them squarely in the Norfolk landscape during the late 19th century.

Format & Navigation Notes Please note that this product consists of high-resolution scanned images of the original book (available as an instant digital download or on a physical CD-ROM). The text is not pre-indexed or statically searchable. However, because the directory is meticulously arranged alphabetically by parish and surname, locating your ancestors is straightforward and intuitive. Pro-Tip: While the file itself is image-based, if you open it in a modern PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader), the software will perform "OCR on the fly," allowing you to use the Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F) search function to find specific surnames or street names with ease!

What’s Inside: A Breakdown of the Sections This comprehensive Victorian directory is divided into highly useful sections:

• County Information: A fascinating overview of Norfolk’s geology, topography, history, and administrative structures, including listings of local Magistrates.
• Norwich Borough & City: A deep dive into the cathedral city, featuring a detailed street-by-street directory, a commercial directory, and a private residents' alphabetical list.
• Town & Village Directory: An alphabetical breakdown of every parish and hamlet in Norfolk, detailing local amenities, institutions, and prominent residents.
• Private Residents: An alphabetical county-wide list of the gentry, clergy, and professional classes (great for finding the "head" of the household).
• Trades & Professions: A classified commercial directory listing everyone from blacksmiths and bakers to doctors and drapers.

A Snapshot of Norfolk in 1879: Famous Faces & Fascinating Facts As you browse through the pages, you are reading the exact records of a county undergoing immense change. In 1879, Norfolk was a powerhouse of agriculture, but it was also rapidly industrializing:

• Industry: You will find the names of merchants tied to Norwich’s famous shoe and leather industry, which was booming at this time. You'll also see references to the colossal Colman's mustard empire, which was already putting Norwich on the global map.
• Famous Residents & Birthplaces: While Admiral Lord Nelson had long since passed, his birthplace of Burnham Thorpe is beautifully detailed here. Look closely at the Swardeston listings, and you will find the entry for the Reverend Frederick Cavell—in 1879, his 14-year-old daughter Edith (the future heroic WWI nurse) was living right there in the rectory. You will also pass through Thetford, the birthplace of radical thinker Thomas Paine, and Dereham, the hometown of famed travel writer George Borrow (who passed away in 1881).
• Sports & Culture: Norfolk had a thriving Victorian sporting culture. Cricket clubs were the heartbeat of almost every village (look for the local "CC" secretaries in the trades section). While Norwich City Football Club wouldn't be founded until 1902, the precursor to modern football—along with rugby—was already being played by the county's athletic clubs. Musically, Norwich was renowned nationally for its Triennial Musical Festivals, and the directory lists the many piano tuners, music sellers, and instrument makers catering to the county's melodic tastes.

Important Disclaimer Regarding Maps Please Note: Victorian directories were famously heavily used and often stripped of their maps by previous owners. We cannot guarantee that the original fold-out county or town maps are present in this specific 1879 scan. However, if the original maps are intact in our source copy, they have been meticulously scanned and included as a fantastic bonus!

Choose Your Format:

• Digital Download: Receive an instant download link upon checkout. No waiting, no shipping fees!
• CD-ROM: Prefer a physical backup? Choose the CD option, and we will ship the disk directly to your door.

Unlock the stories of your Norfolk ancestors today!