Kelly's Directory of Epsom, Leatherhead & Neighbourhood 1932 - The Essential Census Substitute

Unlock the secrets of your family’s past in the historic Surrey towns of Epsom and Leatherhead with this exact digital reproduction of the 1932 Kelly’s Directory.

Format: High-Quality Digital Download (or CD-ROM) Year: 1932

Why You Need This Directory

Are you hitting a brick wall with your family tree? The 1931 Census was destroyed in the Second World War, and the 1921 Census remains restricted to many. Furthermore, just as we see a rise in government distrust today, the interwar years saw many citizens wary of intrusive bureaucracy, with some refusing to fill in census forms or providing false information.

This directory acts as the perfect Census Substitute, capturing thousands of private residents who may have been missed by official records. If your ancestors were living in Epsom, Leatherhead, or the surrounding villages in 1932, they are likely listed right here.

Navigation & Search Features

Please note that this is a scanned facsimile of the original book, consisting of high-resolution images to preserve the authentic look and feel. Because it is an image-based PDF, the text is not internally indexed. However, due to the alphabetical arrangement of the sections, navigation is straightforward. Additionally, most modern PDF readers (like Adobe Acrobat or browser viewers) now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly, allowing you to use the "Find" function (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) to search for surnames and street names with ease.

Inside the Directory: Detailed Content Breakdown

This comprehensive volume is divided into easy-to-use sections to help you pinpoint your ancestors:

1. Surrey County Information: Official statistics, topography, and the Magistrates.
2. Epsom Section:
   • Street Directory: A house-by-house listing of roads and occupants.
   • Commercial Directory: Alphabetical list of tradesmen and business owners (Butchers, Bakers, Builders, etc.).
   • Private Residents: An alphabetical list of the gentry and prominent householders.
   • Official & Ecclesiastical: Local council officers, clergy, and medical professionals.
3. Leatherhead Section:
   • Mirrors the Epsom structure with detailed Street, Commercial, and Private Resident listings.
4. Neighbouring Villages: Includes detailed listings for Ashtead, Bookham, Fetcham, Headley, Little Bookham, and Walton-on-the-Hill.
5. Advertisements: A fascinating collection of period adverts for local products, services, and remedies, offering a glimpse into the daily life and consumer habits of 1932.

Local History, Famous Residents & Interesting Facts

Using this directory, you aren't just finding names; you are stepping into the world your ancestors knew. In 1932, this area was a hub of health, sport, and industry.

• The "Epsom Cluster": By 1932, Epsom was famous for its massive group of mental hospitals (The Epsom Cluster), including Horton, Manor, and St. Ebba's. Thousands of staff lived in the area, making this directory vital for finding nurses, porters, and administrators who supported this massive local industry.
• The Derby & The Sport of Kings: Epsom Downs was the center of the racing world. You may find ancestors working as stable lads, jockeys, or trainers associated with the famous Epsom Derby.
• Music & Culture: While the famous "Epsom Playhouse" wasn't built until later, the area was a retreat for musicians and artists from London.
• Famous Connections:
  • Noël Coward: The famous playwright and actor was a frequent visitor to the area and had social connections in Surrey during this period.
  • Horse Racing Legends: Look out for the names of famous trainers of the day who trained on the Downs; their legacy is deeply embedded in the local street names and history of the town.
• Industry: Apart from the hospitals, Leatherhead and Epsom were transitioning from market towns to commuter suburbs for London, with a thriving printing industry in Leatherhead and light manufacturing beginning to boom.

Important Note Regarding Maps

Please note a disclaimer regarding maps: Original copies of these directories often had fold-out maps removed by previous owners or damaged over the last 90 years. We have scanned this copy exactly as it was found. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a map is present. However, if the original map was still attached to the book when we scanned it, it is included as a fantastic bonus!

Start Your Journey Today

Don't let the census gaps stop your research. Whether you are tracing a shopkeeper in Leatherhead High Street or a nurse at the Epsom hospitals, this Kelly's Directory is your key to unlocking 1932.