Kelly's Directory of Somersetshire 1883 (Digital Download or CD)

Step Back in Time: Explore Somerset in 1883

Unlock the history of your ancestors and the county of Somerset with this high-quality reproduction of Kelly's Directory of Somersetshire 1883. Whether you are a genealogist tracing your family tree, a local historian researching the evolution of villages, or simply fascinated by Victorian England, this directory is an invaluable resource.

Available as a convenient Digital Download or a physical CD, this directory contains hundreds of scanned images presenting a snapshot of life just after the census of 1881.

About the Format

Please note that this directory is a digitised copy of the original book. It consists of scanned images (PDF format) and is not an indexed text-searchable database. However, don't worry! The directory is structured alphabetically by town and parish, making manual navigation incredibly straightforward.

Furthermore, modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) often perform "OCR on the fly," allowing you to use the search function (Ctrl+F) to locate surnames or place names with a high degree of accuracy.

What's Inside the Directory?

This comprehensive volume is divided into essential sections to help you paint a vivid picture of Victorian life:

1. The County Calendar & Court Directory A detailed look at the machinery of local government in 1883. This section lists the Lord Lieutenant, Deputy Lieutenants, Magistrates, and Clergy. It provides context on who was running the county and the legal framework your ancestors lived under.

2. Town & Street Directories This is the core of the book. Every major town—from Taunton and Yeovil to Bridgwater and Wells—is listed with detailed street-by-street surveys. You will find the names and trades of the head of households, allowing you to pinpoint exactly where your family lived and who their neighbours were.

3. Private Residents Directory An alphabetical list of the gentry, clergy, and prominent citizens (retired or independent of means) living in the county at the time. If your ancestor was a "Gentleman," a Landowner, or a professional, this is where they will appear.

4. Commercial & Trades Directory A fascinating alphabetical classified list of trades. Find out who was the butcher, the baker, the blacksmith, or the draper in your specific village. This is perfect for understanding the local economy and finding ancestors who worked in specific industries.

Bridging the Census Gaps

This directory is the perfect companion to the 1881 Census. While the census tells you who was in the house on a specific night, this directory confirms they were settled in the town for years surrounding that date. It is particularly useful for filling in the gaps between the 1881 and 1891 censuses, tracking family movements, or identifying ancestors who were born or died during that decade.

Somerset Life in 1883: Facts & Figures

To give you context on the era your ancestors lived in, here are some interesting facts about Somerset in the early 1880s:

• The Rise of Industry: While Somerset remained heavily agricultural, 1883 saw the county at the height of the Industrial Revolution's influence. The Somerset Coalfield was in full operation, with towns like Radstock and Midsomer Norton bustling with miners.
• Railway Expansion: The railway network had connected the remote towns of the West Country to London. The Great Western Railway was the lifeblood of the county, transporting goods like Bath Stone and dairy produce to the capital.
• Sporting Heroes: This was the era of the great amateur sportsmen. The county was a hotbed for Cricket, with the Somerset County Cricket Club (formed in 1875) gaining prominence.
• Famous Residents & Births:
  • Admiral Robert Blake: Though he died in 1657, the people of Bridgwater in 1883 were fiercely proud of their native son, the "Father of the Royal Navy."
  • Sir Henry Cooper: The famous boxer was not yet born (born 1934), but the Cooper family name may be found in the trades sections of Bridgwater!
  • Herbert Howells: The famous composer (born 1892 in Lydney) was not yet born, but the musical tradition of Wells Cathedral was a central part of Somerset life in 1883, with the Choir School attracting talent from across the region.
  • The Science of Flight: William H. Preece (born in Bridgwater) was a prominent engineer and inventor in 1883, working on telegraphy that would eventually pave the way for wireless technology.

Important Note Regarding Maps

Disclaimer: Please be aware that in many original archival copies of this directory, the folding map plates were removed by previous owners or have been lost to time. We have reproduced the directory exactly as the source copy allows. If the map is present in your edition, please consider it a bonus addition, but it should not be expected.

Technical Details

• Format: PDF (Scanned Images)
• Compatibility: Works on PC, Mac, Tablets, and Kindle devices (via PDF reader).
• Navigation: Bookmarked for easy jumping between towns. Alphabetical structure aids research.

Reconnect with your Somerset roots today!