Background
Trade Directories were produced from around 1800 (some
were a little earlier but limited in scope) to the
1970s, and were similar to phone books, many of them
listing people by both trade and surname. From the 1860s
onwards they quite often have names and addresses of
private residents - quite apart from the entries in the
commercial section. They may help trace the address of a
family, when you know only the name. This then enables
you to cross check with other resources, such as
electoral registers or censuses.What do trade
directories show?
Areas and dates covered
I have entries for a great many towns and areas in the
British Isles. A full list of places and years can be
seen in the Sources
section.
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