Genealogy Chat

1832 It's noted under the Getting started bit on Homepage ... Gives other info about what years mattered etc ... 'Directories are published lists of names and addresses, variously covering prominent, private and commercial residents of parishes, towns and cities. Although published for large cities since the 18th century, they are most common for the 19th and early 20th centuries, until their role was taken over by telephone directories. On a commercial level, they tended to list men trading in their own right, but seldom employees. Some also provide street-by-street lists of inhabitants. Their main uses in genealogy are finding out where people lived in order to seek them in census returns, but they also provide interesting insights into the lives of our ancestors in their own right. Contact the nearest local studies library or county record office to discover what is held there, or you can use the substantial collection at the Society of Genealogists in London. Electoral registers began in 1832 and by 1884 all male householders over the age of 21 were entitled to vote. By 1918 all men over 21 and women over the age of 30 could vote, changing to the age of 21 for women in 1928. In 1969 the age was lowered from 21 to 18. They are usually kept by local libraries and county record offices and are an excellent way of trying to trace down towards the present. ' Elaine ;-)

Just wondered Val