Kelly's Directory of Somersetshire 1919 (Digital Download or CD)

Product Description

Unlock the history of your ancestors with this comprehensive digital reproduction of Kelly's Directory of Somersetshire 1919.

Whether you are a genealogist, local historian, or simply tracing your family tree, this directory offers an invaluable snapshot of life in Somerset immediately following the First World War. This product is available as a convenient digital download or on a physical CD-ROM.

Navigation & Searchability

This directory is a high-quality scan of the original 1919 publication, preserving the authentic look and feel of the historic text. Because these are scanned images, the text is not embedded or searchable in the traditional sense (i.e., you cannot simply press CTRL+F to find a name).

However, navigation is straightforward thanks to the alphabetical arrangement of the directory's sections. Furthermore, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly, effectively allowing you to search the text using your reader's built-in search function.

Why the 1919 Directory is Essential

This publication serves as a critical "Census Substitute." The 1921 Census is the next major census following the 1911 Census, but it remains expensive to access and was conducted two years after this directory. Kelly's 1919 bridges that gap, capturing a unique moment in history as soldiers returned home and the country began to rebuild.

Contents of the Directory

This volume is packed with detailed information divided into clear, easy-to-use sections:

• County Information: A detailed description of the County of Somerset, including its topography, geology, and history.
• The Court Directory (Private Residents): An alphabetical list of private residents, often identifying the "gentry" and head of households.
• The Commercial Directory: A classified trade directory covering everything from Auctioneers to Wheelwrights, allowing you to discover exactly what your ancestors did for a living.
• The Street Directory (Major Towns): Detailed listings for principal towns (such as Bath, Bridgwater, Taunton, Yeovil, and Wells), listing the head of the household or business by street name.
• Institutions & Official Data: Listings for the Clergy, Magistrates, County Councils, and Public Officials.

Somersetshire: A Snapshot of 1919

This directory captures a county rich in culture, agriculture, and industry. In 1919, Somerset was a mix of bustling industrial hubs and quiet rural villages.

• Local Industry: While agriculture remained the backbone (with cider production and cheese making being staples), the Somerset coalfield in the north was still a major employer. The directory lists the collieries and associated trades active during this post-war reconstruction period.
• Famous People & Notable Connections:
  • The Clark Family: You will find references to the Clark family in the Street area, famous for C. & J. Clark shoes, a business that was booming during this era.
  • Arthur C. Clarke: Although just a toddler in 1919, the famous sci-fi writer was born in Minehead in 1917; his family would have been settling into the community during this time.
  • Adge Cutler: While he became famous later as the frontman of The Wurzels, his roots run deep in the Somerset folk scene documented in these trades.
• Sport: The directory includes listings for local sports clubs. Somerset County Cricket Club was well established, and you can find the grounds and officials listed within the Taunton section. In Bath, rugby was rapidly gaining popularity.

Important Note Regarding Maps

Please Note: We have digitized the source material exactly as it was printed. While every care has been taken to include the original fold-out maps, historical directories were often handled roughly by previous owners. Consequently, some maps may have been torn or removed from the original book prior to scanning.

Technical Details

• Format: PDF (Scanned Images).
• Compatibility: Works on PC, Mac, Tablets, and Smartphones using any standard PDF reader.
• Source: 1919 Kelly's Directory.

Step back in time and walk the streets of Somerset with your ancestors. Order your copy today!