Kelly's Directory Of Birmingham & Smethwick 1938

Kelly's Directory of Birmingham & Smethwick, 1938

Imagine the buzz of trams along Corporation Street, the smoke rising from the iconic factories of the Black Country, and the daily bustle of life just before the world changed forever. This is the world captured in the pages of Kelly's Directory of Birmingham & Smethwick, 1938. More than just a book of names, it is a time capsule, offering a vivid and detailed portrait of a major industrial city at a pivotal moment in history.

This meticulously compiled directory is your key to unlocking the stories of the past. It's an invaluable resource for discovering the world your ancestors lived in, brick by brick and street by street.

What's Inside This Historical Treasure?

Complete Street-by-Street Directory: The heart of the directory. Walk down every street in Birmingham and Smethwick as it was in 1938. Find out who lived at each address, their occupation, and the businesses that operated from their homes.
Comprehensive Commercial & Trades Directory: Discover the economic lifeblood of the city. From grand engineering firms and jewellery workshops to local bakers, publicans, and tailors, find the businesses that defined the era.
Court (Private Residents) Directory: A listing of the county's gentry, professionals, and other notable private citizens, providing a glimpse into the upper echelons of local society.
Official & Local Information: A guide to the machinery of the city. Includes listings for council officials, magistrates, clergy, doctors, hospitals, schools, postal services, and public transport timetables.
Authentic Period Advertisements: Browse through dozens of original advertisements, offering a charming and often surprising insight into the products, services, and aspirations of 1930s consumers.
Who Will Find This Directory Indispensable?

Family Historians & Genealogists: Pinpoint your ancestors' homes, discover their neighbours, and learn their professions. Break down brick walls and add rich context to your family tree.
Local Historians: Research the history of your street, your building, or your local area. Trace the evolution of businesses and communities over time.
Social & Academic Researchers: Gain firsthand access to demographic, economic, and social data from the interwar period.
Nostalgists & Collectors: Own a tangible piece of Birmingham's history and relive the atmosphere of a bygone era.