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Directories
Directories were first
published in the mid-eighteenth century but were limited to large towns, e.g.
John Gore's Directory of Liverpool, 1766, was the first one in Lancashire.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century there was Pigot's Directory of Lancashire, 1821, followed shortly by the well known Baines' Directory of 1824.
These were followed by Slater's of 1845 (took over Pigot's), and Kelly's Post Office Directory of 1858.
From the mid-nineteenth century directories such as Mannex, Barrett's and Kelly's were produced for the majority of towns and their surrounding areas. Both county and town directories were published at regular intervals.
The information contained
in directories varies, but most have a significant amount of detail for each
area which might include: topographical descriptions, population statistics,
members of town council, lists of churches, schools and public institutions,
time of mail coaches, a street index, a classified index of professional and
trades people, and an alphabetical list of principal residents.
For most areas the regularly produced directories mentioned above ceased in the 1960's and 1970's, but town councils often produce directories for their own towns, and some produce commercial directories on a regular basis.
Phone books and Yellow Pages are also available for the last 30-40 years.
Directories are included on our book catalogue and details can also be found in the 'Guide to Lancashire Local Studies and Family History Collections' (Section 6).