Cowell's Directory of Felixstowe & Walton 1909 - Digital Download & CD Edition

Product Description

Step back in time to the Edwardian era with this high-quality reproduction of Cowell's Directory of Felixstowe & Walton 1909. An essential resource for genealogists, local historians, and house researchers, this directory offers a fascinating snapshot of life in this thriving Suffolk coastal resort over a century ago.

Bridging the Genealogy Gap

This directory is the perfect tool for bridging the gap between the 1901 and 1911 censuses. If your ancestors lived in Felixstowe or Walton during this period, this book allows you to pinpoint their exact location, discover their trade, and visualize their community in a way that census records alone cannot.

About the Format & Navigation

Please note that this directory is a digitized scan of the original book, consisting of high-resolution images. It is not a text-searchable database in the traditional sense (like a Word document). However, it is incredibly easy to navigate:

• Alphabetical Layout: The directories are arranged alphabetically by surname and trade, making it straightforward to flip through the digital pages to find specific relatives.
• Modern OCR Technology: While the file itself is image-based, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Edge, and Chrome) now perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) "on the fly." This means you can often use the search function (Ctrl+F) within your browser or reader to highlight names, though accuracy may vary depending on the clarity of the original print.

What's Inside: Section by Section

This comprehensive directory is packed with detailed information, including:

• Street Directory: A complete list of streets in Felixstowe and Walton, showing the head of household at each address. Perfect for tracing the history of specific houses.
• Commercial Directory: An alphabetical list of trades and professions (e.g., Bakers, Blacksmiths, Lodging House Keepers), allowing you to see the industrial landscape of the town.
• Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private citizens, often distinguishing between tradesmen and the gentry.
• Local Information & Officials: Details on the Urban District Council, sanitation, police, clergy, and schools.
• Advertisements: A delightful collection of contemporary ads for local businesses, offering flavor and context to the era.

A Glimpse of Felixstowe & Walton in 1909

In 1909, Felixstowe was at the height of its fashion as a Victorian and Edwardian seaside resort. This was a time of elegance, promenading, and booming tourism.

• The Royal Connection: By 1909, Felixstowe was a favored haunt of royalty. King Edward VII was a frequent visitor to the town, often staying at the Bath Hotel, which helped cement Felixstowe's reputation as the "Brighton of the East Coast."
• Famous Residents: The area was home to notable figures of the time. The young Arthur Ransome, famous author of Swallows and Amazons, had family connections to the region and spent time in Suffolk during these years.
• Sport & Leisure: The town was buzzing with activity. The Felixstowe Golf Club (established in the late 19th century) was a central hub for the Edwardian gentry, and cricket was fiercely popular on the Orwell greens.
• Industry & Music: While tourism was the primary industry, the fishing fleets of Walton kept the working docks busy. The town also boasted a vibrant musical scene, with regular performances at the Spa Pavilion and the Assembly Rooms, attracting the finest musicians of the Edwardian concert circuit.

Important Note Regarding Maps

Disclaimer: Due to the age of the original source books, pull-out maps were often the first pages to be torn out or damaged over the last 110+ years. We have made every effort to ensure the directory is complete. However, if the original map was missing from the source book used for this scan, it will naturally be absent from this digital version. If the map is present, it is included here as a valuable bonus to assist your research.

Format: You will receive this directory as a digital PDF download (or on CD if selected), compatible with PC, Mac, and tablets.

Unlock the secrets of your Suffolk heritage today!