Kelly's Directory Of Somersetshire 1897

Kelly's Directory of Somersetshire 1897 - Digital Download or CD

Product Description:

Step back into the late Victorian era with this comprehensive republishing of Kelly's Directory of Somersetshire 1897. A vital resource for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching their family tree, this directory offers a fascinating snapshot of life in Somerset during the Diamond Jubilee year of Queen Victoria.

Whether you are tracing the movements of your ancestors or researching the history of a specific village, this directory provides the details that bridge the gap between the 1891 and 1901 census years. While the 1891 census is a cornerstone of research, directories like these fill in the missing years, showing where families lived and their occupations between the official census counts.

Format & Usability

This product is available as a high-quality digital download or on a CD-ROM.

• Scanned Images: This directory consists of high-resolution scans of the original pages, preserving the authentic look and typography of the 19th century.
• Navigability: Although the text is a scanned image and not embedded as searchable text, the directory is structured alphabetically by town and parish. This makes finding specific residents or trades remarkably intuitive and fast.
• OCR Compatibility: Please note that while the file itself is an image scan, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat or browser-based viewers) now feature "OCR on the fly." This allows you to use the search function (Ctrl+F) to locate names and places instantly, enhancing usability significantly.

What’s Inside: Directory Breakdown

This extensive volume is divided into clear, easy-to-use sections:

1. County Information: A detailed history and topography of Somerset, including geology, agriculture, and main highways.
2. Court Directory (The Private Residents): An alphabetical list of the gentry, clergy, and prominent citizens (heads of households) living in private residences.
3. Commercial Directory: A classified trade directory listing businesses by trade (e.g., Bakers, Blacksmiths, Grocers) from Abergham to Yeovil.
4. Parish & Town Directories: Detailed street-by-street or village-by-village listings of private residents and tradespeople for major hubs like Bath, Bridgwater, Taunton, Wells, and Yeovil, as well as the smallest hamlets.
5. Official Information: Listings of county officials, magistrates, and public institutions.
6. Advertisers’ Index: Period advertisements for local products and services, offering a colorful glimpse into Victorian consumerism.

Somerset Life in 1897: A Time Capsule

Beyond the names and addresses, this directory places your ancestors in the context of their vibrant community. In 1897, Somerset was a county of contrasts, mixing industrial innovation with rural tradition.

• The Bath Connection: The city of Bath was thriving as a cultural and social hub. The directory includes residents living near the famed Roman Baths and the Royal Crescent. While historical figures like Jane Austen had long since passed, their presence lingered in the streets your ancestors walked.
• Industry & Trade:
  • Yeovil: In 1897, Yeovil was already establishing its reputation as a center for engineering, a precursor to its fame in aviation and glove-making. The directory lists the many glovers and leather workers who drove the local economy.
  • Bridgwater & The Parrett: A busy port town known for brick and tile manufacture (the famous "Bath bricks"), utilizing the transport links via the River Parrett and the burgeoning railway network.
  • Cheddar: Long before it was a global tourist trap, Cheddar was a center for cheese production and the stunning geological caves. The directory lists the local farmers and dairymen who made the county’s cheese world-famous.
• Sport & Leisure: Somerset County Cricket Club (founded in 1875) was active, and the directory lists local sporting grounds and committee members. The tradition of Morris Dancing and rural folk music was strong in the villages, often led by local pub landlords listed in the commercial sections.
• Famous Residents & Notable Figures: This era records the local gentry who presided over the estates. While specific famous names vary by parish, the directory is the best place to find the "lesser-known" local figures—village schoolmasters, the local parish priest, and the wealthy landowners who shaped the landscape.
• Religious Heritage: With Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Abbey (then in ruins but a site of massive historical interest), the county was steeped in ecclesiastical history. The directory details the clergy serving in these historic locations.

Map Disclaimer

Please be aware that while many of these directories originally included a pull-out county map, these were often removed or damaged over the last 120+ years. We have included the map if it was physically present in the source book used for scanning; however, please treat the inclusion of a map as a bonus feature rather than a guaranteed part of the contents.

Unlock the history of your family and the stories of Somerset’s towns and villages with this indispensable 1897 archive.