Shropshire Routes to Roots

Pigot's Directory, 1821-1822
This map shows Oswestry and the area to the east, including Ellesmere and Newtown. From one map on its own, it is impossible to see how an area is developing.

Slater's Directory, 1850
However, when the 1821 map is compared with this one there is one important addition to the earlier map. By looking at the other sources from 1850 on this page, can you work out what exactly it is?

Kelly's Directory, 1895
This map from Kelly's is unfortunately in poor condition, having been printed on very thin paper. However, it is still possible to spot some details. Can you find:

• Three railways
• The Ellesmere canal, in the northeast corner

Pigot's Directory, 1821-1822
All the directories start off by giving a basic history of the town or parish. For the historian, the most interesting information is often interspersed in this. For example, can you find:

• When the markets were held
• The population of the parish
• How mail was sent

Slater's Directory, 1850
Again, amongst the general historical background it is possible to extract information about more recent changes. For example:

• What important utility was installed in 1825?
• What methods of communication were now available to the inhabitants of the town?

Kelly's Directory, 1895
From this extract, major architectural changes appear to have taken place in the years since 1850:

• What public buildings were designed and built in the second half of the nineteenth century?
• Which family seems to have been particularly influential in the area?

Pigot's Directory, 1821-1822
In this entry, can you find:

• The names of the two coal owners
• The antiquated spelling of the word 'Chemists'

Slater's Directory, 1850
In this section, you might want to ask yourself:

• Have any of the coal owners changed hands or merged?
• Can you find the esteemed stationer who sells his goods to royalty?

Kelly's Directory, 1895
Lurking among this list of trades are some more unusual occupations. Can you find the person you would have visited if you had wanted to buy:

• A pistol
• An umbrella
• Tripe

Pigot's Directory, 1821-1822
Using this 'timetable' can you work out:

• The names of the coaches (the top of the list) by which you might have travelled to Shrewsbury
• How often you could have sent goods to Shrewsbury by carrier
• Where else you could have got to directly from Oswestry

Slater's Directory, 1850
One thing to be aware of when using trade directories to trace changes in a place is that earlier versions may be deceptively brief. Thus although a later trade directory may appear to show more transport links, it may simply be that the newer directory is listing routes which have always existed, but which were simply not recorded in the earlier books.

Compare the number of carriers here, for example, with the number listed in 1821. Do you really think that in 1821 it would have been impossible to get to the places served in 1850.

Kelly's Directory, 1895
It seems that the emphasis of the method of transport has shifted since 1821. Look, for example, at the way the use of the term 'carriers' has changed to mean more than just goods wagons.