Trade Directories
Trade directories were originally produced to help promote and facilitate trade and commerce. The directories would include a general description of a city, town or village such as geographical location, historical and statistical facts as well as details on local transportation, churches, schools, government offices, shops and businesses. Often information on specific people, such as businessmen, traders, shopkeepers, was included.
Later directories began to include sections on private residents. At first this mainly consisted of the wealthier and more prominent individuals, eventually the directories became more inclusive and more residents were included regardless of social status. The peak of the trade directories was 1936 when 320 different directories were printed. After the Second World War, telephone directories gradually superseded the trade directories.
Today, trade directories provide an invaluable source for historians. Below are links to entries pertaining to Tarrington within Trade Directories