Universal British Directory

The Universal British Directory was one of the first trade directories to be produced.

It was the brainchild of a publisher called John Wilkes who arranged for date on the whole of the country to be collected and verified between 1790 and 1798.

His aim was to document each County, Town and village in the UK providing a brief description of the place, the Church, Important Buildings,Fairs and Market Days, Industries and geographical features as well as details of the important people living in the area.

Many details relating to Counties are also included.

This directory is not as detailed as the Kelly's and Post Office directories that were to follow but as it is the first it is of great use to the family historian.

New copies are available from most genealogical stockist's while second hand copies are often available on E-Bay for a few pounds.