Page's Late Folthorp's Directory & Court Guide of Brighton & Hove 1867 (Digital Download or CD)

Product Description

Step back into the Victorian era with this fascinating snapshot of Brighton and Hove from 1867.

Are you struggling to find your ancestors in the census? Whether they were elusive residents who distrusted the government enumerators or simply visitors avoiding the count, Page's Late Folthorp's Directory & Court Guide offers the perfect alternative solution.

This high-quality reproduction is available as a convenient Digital Download or a physical CD-ROM. It contains a complete scan of the original 1867 directory, providing an invaluable resource for family historians, local researchers, and anyone interested in the history of Sussex.

Navigating the Directory

Please Note: This directory consists of scanned images and is not a text-searchable PDF in the traditional sense (you cannot simply press CTRL+F). However, finding your relatives is still surprisingly easy! The directory is structured alphabetically by surname and trade, allowing for quick manual browsing. Furthermore, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly, meaning you can often use the search function within your reader software to locate names automatically.

Why Check the Directory? Census Gaps & Government Distrust

Just as we see in modern times, 19th-century distrust of government was prevalent. Many people refused to fill in census forms or gave false information to protect their privacy. Others were simply transient in a bustling seaside resort like Brighton and were missed entirely. Because trade directories relied on advertising and local prestige rather than state coercion, your ancestors might be listed here even if they are invisible in the 1861 or 1871 census returns.

What's Inside? Section by Section

This comprehensive volume is packed with detail, offering more than just a list of names. It includes:

• Court Guide & Private Residents: An alphabetical listing of the gentry, professionals, and prominent citizens living in Brighton and Hove at the time.
• Commercial & Trade Directory: A complete classification of trades. From bakers to bankers, innkeepers to ironmongers—find out exactly what your ancestors did for a living.
• Street Directory: A tour of Victorian Brighton and Hove, street by street, listing the head of households at specific addresses (perfect for locating family homes).
• Official Information: Listings of local corporation officials, clergy, magistrates, and public officers.
• Local Institutions: Details on hospitals, schools, charities, and societies.
• Advertisements: Period advertisements that offer a glimpse into the products and services available to Victorians.

Brighton & Hove in 1867: Local History & Fame

This directory captures Brighton during its peak as a fashionable seaside resort. By 1867, the railway had fully transformed the town, making it accessible to the masses. As you browse these pages, keep an eye out for the context of the time:

• The Railway Boom: The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway was the lifeblood of the town, bringing in day-trippers and goods.
• Famous Residents & Visitors: While the Royal Pavilion had passed out of Royal hands by this time, Brighton was still home to the elite. You may find references to prominent figures of the day such as Sir John Cordy Burrows, a three-time Mayor of Brighton and a noted surgeon who did much for the town's infrastructure.
• Sports & Leisure: Brighton was a hub for sport. The Brighton Football Club (an early rugby club) was active during this era, and cricket was immensely popular, with the Sussex County Cricket Club drawing crowds.
• Music & Culture: The town was alive with music. The West Pier had opened just a year prior (1866), becoming a center for promenade concerts and entertainment. The directory is filled with music teachers, instrument makers, and concert halls that served this vibrant cultural scene.
• Industry: Beyond tourism, the directory highlights the thriving local industries, including the famous Brighton Pump Works and the extensive fishing fleet operating out of the Shoreham/ Hove basin.

Map Disclaimer & Bonus

Historical directories were often bound differently, and maps were frequently issued as separate inserts that have been lost over time. Please be aware that a map may be missing from this specific scan.

However, if the original map is present in the pages of this edition, we consider it a special bonus for you to enjoy!

Format: Scanned Images in PDF Format. Compatibility: Works with Adobe Acrobat Reader and most other PDF viewers. Delivery: Immediate Digital Download or Physical CD sent via mail.

Unlock the secrets of your Sussex family history today!