Page's Late Folthorp's Directory & Court Guide of Brighton & Hove 1872 (Digital Download or CD)

Unlock the secrets of your Sussex ancestors in this fascinating Victorian snapshot.

Are you struggling to find your relatives in the 1871 Census? You are not alone. Just as we see a degree of government distrust and privacy concerns in the modern era regarding official surveys, the same was true in the Victorian age. Many citizens were suspicious of enumerators or simply were not home when the census was taken. As a result, they were "lost" to history—until now.

Trade directories were the "Yellow Pages" of their day, but better. People wanted to be listed to ensure business and social status. This directory captures thousands of residents who may have been missed by the census officials, offering you a vital second chance to trace your family tree.

About This Product

This high-quality reproduction is available as an instant Digital Download or on a handy CD.

Navigational Note: Please be aware that this directory consists of scanned images of the original book and is not text-searchable in its native file format. However, due to the alphabetical arrangement of the sections, finding your family is straightforward. Furthermore, most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat and browser-based viewers) now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly, allowing you to use the search function (Ctrl+F) to locate names and keywords instantly.

What's Inside the Directory?

This comprehensive guide offers a detailed look at Brighton and Hove during the height of the Victorian era. It is divided into easy-to-use sections:

• Brighton & Hove Court Guide & Alphabetical List: The "Who's Who" of the town. This section lists the nobility, gentry, clergy, and professionals residing in the area, often distinguishing between main residences and temporary lodgings.
• Street Directory: An alphabetical list of streets in Brighton and Hove, showing the head of the household or business occupying each house. Perfect for tracing the history of a specific property.
• Commercial Directory: Classified by trade or profession. Find out if your ancestor was a baker, a tailor, a gunsmith, or a mariner.
• Trades Directory: A comprehensive list of merchants and shopkeepers, essential for understanding the local economy.
• Official Information: Details of local corporations, magistrates, and public officials.

Life in Brighton & Hove in 1872: Context & History

To understand where your ancestors lived, it helps to understand the world they inhabited. In 1872, Brighton was not just a sleepy fishing village; it was the "Queen of Watering Places," a booming metropolis of leisure and industry.

Famous Residents & Connections:

• Charles Darwin's Shadow: While Darwin lived in nearby Downe, his influence was felt strongly in the scientific circles of Brighton.
• Literary Figures: The area was a magnet for writers. Wilkie Collins, the famous novelist and friend of Charles Dickens, was a frequent visitor to the town during this period.
• The Royal Connection: By 1872, the Royal Pavilion had been sold by Queen Victoria to the town (in 1850) and was a popular public attraction, reminding residents of their proximity to royalty.

Local Industry & Economy:

• The Railway Boom: The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway was the lifeblood of the town, bringing millions of tourists from the capital. If your ancestor worked in transport, hospitality, or construction, they were likely employed due to the railway's success.
• Brewing Giants: Brighton was famous for its beer. Breweries like Tamplins and Rock Brewery were major employers. If you see a "brewer's drayman" or "maltster" in your tree, they were likely working for one of these local giants.
• Fishing & Tourism: Despite the modernization, the traditional fishing fleet based at the "Old Town" and the Chain Pier was still operational, working alongside the bustling new tourism trade.

Music & Sport:

• The Music Halls: The era saw the rise of Music Halls in Brighton, providing entertainment for the masses. Your ancestors might have visited venues on West Street or the Grand Hall.
• Cricket: Sussex County Cricket Club was well established (formed in 1839), and cricket was a passion for many locals.

Interesting Facts:

• In 1872, Brighton was experiencing a housing boom, with the elegant terraces of Hove expanding rapidly to accommodate the wealthy commuters who could now reach London in just over an hour.
• The famous West Pier (opened in 1866) was the place to be seen, having just been fitted with a new bandstand and camera obscura in the years prior.

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING MAPS

Map Disclaimer: Please note that in many original directories of this age, the fold-out maps were often removed by previous owners or have been damaged over the last 150 years. As we produce these scans from original archival texts, we cannot guarantee that the original map is present in this copy. However, if the map is included, please treat it as a special bonus!