Kelly's Directory Of Sussex 1911 Census Companion

Kelly's Directory of Sussex 1911: The Ultimate Census Companion (Digital Download & CD)

Product Description:

Step back in time and walk the streets of Edwardian Sussex with this comprehensive republishing of Kelly’s Directory of Sussex 1911. Perfect for genealogists, local historians, and anyone researching their family tree, this directory serves as the perfect companion to the 1911 Census.

The 1911 Census Companion: Filling the Gaps

The 1911 Census was a pivotal moment in British history, marked by a climate of political unrest and, notably, government distrust. Much like the skepticism seen in modern times, many citizens refused to complete the census forms, particularly due to the controversial "fertility question" and the actions of the Suffragette movement, who organized boycotts. As a result, your ancestors may be missing from the official census returns.

Do not fear! Kelly’s Directory was independent of the government. It canvassed households and businesses annually to create a snapshot of the county. If your ancestors refused the census enumerator in 1911, there is a very good chance they are listed right here, running their business or residing in their home in this directory.

Navigation & Format

This directory is a faithful reproduction of the original scanned images. While the text is not embedded (meaning you cannot "Ctrl+F" to search instantly), the directory is compiled alphabetically by parish and by surname, making navigation surprisingly intuitive and easy.

• Modern Compatibility: We recommend using the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader or Microsoft Edge. Modern browsers and readers now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly, allowing you to search the text even from these scanned images.
• High-Quality Scans: Every page is preserved in high resolution, ensuring you don't miss a single detail of the original print.

What's Inside: A Detailed Breakdown

This extensive volume covers the entirety of Sussex, divided into logical sections to aid your research:

1. Sussex General Information: A detailed overview of the county’s geography, topography, and history as it stood in 1911.
2. The Court Directory: An alphabetical list of the gentry, nobility, and clergy (the "Private Residents"), often including their country estates. This is where you will find the wealthy landowners of the Edwardian era.
3. The Trades Directory: The lifeblood of the county. An alphabetical listing of trades and professions—from Blacksmiths in Bexhill to Wheelwrights in Worthing—followed by the names of those practicing them.
4. Town & Parish Directories: Specific street directories and resident lists for major towns like Brighton, Hastings, Eastbourne, Chichester, and the smaller rural villages.

Famous Residents & Sussex History

In 1911, Sussex was a hub of literary genius, artistic innovation, and sporting prowess. While browsing these pages, you may stumble across the neighbors of famous figures who called Sussex home:

• Literary Legends: Rudyard Kipling was residing at "Bateman's" in Burwash. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had moved to Crowborough (Little Windlesham), where he would continue writing his famous works.
• The Bloomsbury Connection: The painter Vanessa Bell and her sister, the writer Virginia Woolf (then Stephen), were frequent visitors and residents in the Lewes and Firle area.
• Music & The Arts: The composer John Ireland was a frequent visitor to Sussex, drawing inspiration from the coast.
• Sporting Heritage: Sussex County Cricket Club was already a major institution. The directory lists the players and officials associated with the club in Hove.
• Industry & Innovation: Beyond tourism, Sussex had a thriving engineering sector in Brighton and a significant agricultural industry dominated by the Southdown sheep trade.

Important Note Regarding Maps

Please be advised that in some original archival copies, the fold-out county or borough maps were removed or lost over the last century. Consequently, this specific product may or may not include the original maps. We have made every effort to include them if they were present in the source material, but please treat the inclusion of maps as a bonus feature rather than a guaranteed part of the contents.

Format Options:

• Digital Download: Get instant access immediately after purchase. No waiting for shipping.
• CD-ROM: A physical copy sent to your door, perfect for archiving or those with slower internet connections.

Unlock the secrets of your Sussex heritage today and find the ancestors the government missed!