Kelly's Directory of Somersetshire 1902 (Digital Download or CD)

Product Description

Step back into the Edwardian era with this comprehensive repertory of Somersetshire as it stood in 1902. This invaluable resource for genealogists and local historians provides a detailed snapshot of life in the county just after the turn of the century.

Whether you are tracing your family tree, researching the history of your house, or exploring the social fabric of Somerset a century ago, this directory offers a wealth of information not available in standard census records.

Technical Note & Format

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

• Scanned Images: The directory consists of high-resolution scanned images of the original pages. It is not an electronically text-searchable database (i.e., you cannot CTRL+F to find names immediately).
• Navigation: Despite being scans, the directory is extremely easy to navigate. The original publishers utilized a strict alphabetical arrangement for towns, villages, and residents, allowing you to flip quickly to the section you need.
• Modern Compatibility: Please note that many modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly. This often allows you to search the text using your reader's built-in search function, though this depends on the software version you are using.

Contents of the Directory

This extensive volume includes several key sections:

1. County Calendar & Court Directory: Information regarding the County Council, magistrates, and the gentry.
2. Township & Village Directories: Detailed street-by-street and trade-by-trade listings for major towns like Bath, Bridgwater, Taunton, Yeovil, and Wells, as well as the smallest hamlets.
3. Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private households, ideal for tracing ancestors who did not run a business.
4. Trades Directory: Classified listings of businesses and craftsmen, from Blacksmiths to Wheelwrights.
5. Maps & Court Guides: Please see the disclaimer below regarding maps.

Bridging the Census Gaps

While the 1901 Census provides a snapshot of who was sleeping in a house on a specific night, directories like this are essential for filling the gaps between census years. They confirm that a family or business was resident in the area for a sustained period. If you have lost track of an ancestor between the 1891 and 1911 censuses, this 1902 directory is the perfect tool to pinpoint their location.

Somerset in 1902: A Snapshot

Famous Residents & History: In 1902, Somerset was home to a mix of agricultural gentry and industrial innovators. This directory lists the residences of the local aristocracy, including the Bishop of Bath and Wells. It is a fascinating time to view Bath, which was transitioning from a Georgian social hub to a modern architectural center, retaining residents connected to the literary legacies of Jane Austen (who lived there earlier in the century) and Beau Nash.

Industry & Commerce: Somerset’s economy in 1902 was thriving on diverse industries. You will find listings for the booming shoemaking industry in Street (home to C. & J. Clark), the woolen mills that dominated the Stroud valleys (though Stroud is Gloucestershire, bordering towns are included), and the coal mining operations around Radstock and Midsomer Norton. The directory also captures the declining but still present naval supplies and quarrying industries.

Sport & Culture: This was the golden era of the Somerset County Cricket Club, formed in 1875 and by 1902 establishing itself as a competitive force in the county championships. The directory also reflects the rich musical traditions of the West Country, with references to local brass bands and choral societies that were the heartbeat of village life in the Mendips and on the Levels.

Map Disclaimer

Please note: Many original directories had their maps removed by previous owners over the last 120 years. While we have made every effort to ensure this copy is complete, we cannot guarantee the presence of the original fold-out map. If the map is present in the source book used for scanning, it will be included as a fantastic bonus for you to enjoy!