Potts's Banbury Almanack & Local Directory 1856

Potts's Banbury Almanack & Local Directory 1856 - Scanned Archive Edition (Digital Download or CD)

Product Description:

Step back into the bustling market town of Banbury in the mid-Victorian era with this high-quality reproduction of Potts's Banbury Almanack & Local Directory 1856. Perfect for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching family roots in Oxfordshire, this directory serves as an invaluable snapshot of life just halfway between the 1851 and 1861 censuses.

Bridging the Census Gap While the census provides a snapshot every ten years, this directory fills the critical void for the years in between. If your ancestors moved, married, or passed away between 1851 and 1861, this book may be the only record that places them at a specific address in 1856. It is particularly useful for tracking the movements of tradesmen who changed premises frequently.

Navigation & Searchability This directory is a scans of the original pages, preserving the authentic look and typography of the Victorian era. While the text itself is not digitally embedded (meaning you cannot simply "Ctrl+F" to search instantly), the directory is compiled alphabetically by surname and trade, making manual navigation straightforward and intuitive.

Please Note: Modern PDF Readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or Edge) now offer "Run OCR" features that can index the visual text on the fly, allowing you to search the document once opened on your computer.

What’s Inside? This comprehensive Almanack is divided into detailed sections to help you piece together your ancestor's daily life:

• The Almanack: A calendar of the year 1856, containing local astronomical data, tide tables, and a list of national holidays.
• Local Information: Details on the Corporation of Banbury, local officials, magistrates, and public institutions.
• Street Directory: A listing of the main streets and the principal residents inhabiting them.
• Commercial & Trades Directory: An alphabetical list of trades (from Bakers to Wheelwrights) and the businesspeople operating them.
• Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private households, useful for locating families who did not run a business.
• Villages & Surroundings: Coverage of the neighbouring hamlets and villages, including Bloxham, Cropredy, Kings Sutton, and Deddington.

Historical Context & Famous Figures Banbury in 1856 was a town on the cusp of change, balancing its ancient agricultural roots with the rapid rise of the railway era.

• Industry: This was the peak era for Banbury’s plush weaving industry and its famous cattle market. You will find entries for the many weavers, cattle dealers, and the brewers who made the town famous.
• The Rising Cross: At the time of printing, the town was preparing for the erection of the new Banbury Cross (which would be completed in 1859 to commemorate the marriage of the Princess Royal).
• Notable Residents: Keep an eye out for John Gibbs, a local antiquarian and photographer active in Banbury during this period, known for his books on local folklore.
• Sport & Leisure: The directory lists the officers of the local sporting clubs. The Banbury Cricket Club was active during this period, fostering a strong local competitive spirit that still exists today.

Map Disclaimer & Bonus Please Note: Due to the age of the original source material, maps were often removed or damaged in original copies before scanning. We cannot guarantee the inclusion of the fold-out map in every edition. However, if the map is present in this specific scan, consider it a fantastic bonus addition to your purchase!

Whether you are tracing a specific family line or researching the social history of Oxfordshire, Potts's 1856 Directory offers a fascinating window into the past.