Find your ancestors in George Bassett, County Down Guide and Directory (1886)

There are over 10,000 transcripts in this record set, each including an image of the original directory. While the amount of available information varies, most transcripts include the following:

• First name(s)
• Last name
• Town
• Year

Images often include additional and more precise information. For example, we learn that David Irvine is a watchmaker and tobacconist on Main Street in Bangor by looking at the image of the original publication.

Discover more about these records

Bassett’s County Down is both a directory and a guide to the entire county in 1886. It is one of the most important sources published for late nineteenth century Down, recording details such as addresses and occupations for 10,470 people in the county. It contains 414 pages of detailed information, as well as an excellent full colour map.

The book begins with the history, economy, geology and social life of the county. This is followed by a full directory for every town and village, giving the names and details for all office-holders, professionals, merchants and tradesmen, as well as a full alphabetical directory of farmers and other residents not listed by trade. There is a detailed introduction to each town and village, with information about the economy, history, religion, railways, post, and general character of the place. It includes an extended treatment for the borough of Newry. The book finishes with an index of places, and includes many commercial advertisements.

The publication of Irish county directories in the nineteenth century was less than comprehensive. William Bassett produced some of the best county directories in Ireland. Unfortunately he only published a small number of volumes and never covered the entire country.

Copyright

These records were sourced from Eneclann.