Kelly's Directory of Northampton 1966 (Digital Download or CD-ROM)

Unlock the history of mid-20th-century Northampton with this high-quality digital reproduction of Kelly's Directory of Northampton for 1966. Whether you are tracing your family tree, researching local history, or discovering the landscape of your town during the swinging sixties, this directory is an invaluable resource.

Important Format & Navigation Notes

Please note that this product consists of high-resolution scanned images of the original book and is not text-searchable in its native state. However, because Kelly's Directories are meticulously alphabetically arranged by surname and trade, locating your ancestors is incredibly straightforward and highly intuitive.

Pro-Tip: If you are using a modern PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader), many versions now feature "OCR on the fly" technology. This means you can often use the standard search bar (Ctrl+F / Cmd+F) to search for surnames, street names, or trades, and the software will read the text directly from the images for you!

Bridging the Census Gaps

For genealogists, this directory is an absolute lifesaver. The 1961 UK Census was severely damaged by water and subsequently destroyed (with only a small fraction surviving), and the 1971 Census will not be released to the public until 2072. This 1966 directory serves as a crucial "census substitute," allowing you to pinpoint exactly where your relatives were living and what they were doing in the mid-1960s.

What's Inside: A Breakdown of the Sections

This comprehensive volume is divided into highly useful sections:

• Town & Borough Information: A detailed history of Northampton, its civic governance, magistrates, and public institutions.
• Street Directory: A complete A-Z of the streets of Northampton, listing the head of the household or business at each address—perfect for mapping out who lived next door to your ancestors.
• Alphabetical Commercial Directory: A listing of local tradesmen and businesses. From cobblers to accountants, find out how your ancestors earned a living.
• Private Residents Directory: An A-Z of the private, non-commercial households in the town.
• Official & Ecclesiastical Directory: Details of local churches, schools, hospitals, police, and council officials.

Northampton in 1966: A Snapshot in Time

The mid-1960s were a time of massive transition for Northampton. As you browse these pages, you are looking at a town caught between its historic roots and its modern future:

• The End of an Era (Shoemaking): Northampton was globally famous as the shoemaking capital of the world. By 1966, the industry was still massive but beginning to feel the pressure of cheaper overseas imports. You will find countless boot and shoe manufacturers, clickers, and riveters in the trades section.
• Engineering Boom: To supplement the shoe trade, Northampton had successfully attracted heavy engineering. Companies like Barclaycard (which had just launched its credit card in 1966 from a base in Northampton) and the massive GEC/AEI engineering works were employing thousands.
• Sporting Greats: 1966 was the year of England's World Cup glory, and Northamptonshire sporting life was thriving. The town was fiercely proud of Northampton Town F.C. (The Cobblers) and the legendary Northampton Saints rugby club, who were dominating the East Midlands scene.
• Famous Local Faces: As you read through the Private Residents section, you may spot names associated with famous locals. Northampton was the birthplace and home of Malcolm Arnold, the legendary Oscar-winning composer (who won his second Oscar in 1958 and was at the height of his fame in '66). It was also the birthplace of beloved actress Joan Hickson (famous later as Miss Marple), who still had strong family ties to the Kingsthorpe area.

Map Disclaimer

Please Note: Original directories of this age were frequently rebound by local councils or libraries, and unfortunately, the fold-out maps were often removed or lost in this process prior to being scanned. We cannot guarantee the inclusion of the original map. However, if the map is present in the physical copy we scanned, it is included as a fantastic bonus!

Format Options

Choose the format that best suits your needs:

• Digital Download: Instant access after checkout. 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.

Note: This is a digital reproduction of a historical scanned document. Requires a PDF reader to view.