Genealogy Chat

I've just noticed Ancestry had added phone books to their database. 'About British Phone Books 1880-1984 Release 1 This collection contains British phone books published between 1880, the year after the public telephone service was introduced to the UK, and 1984, from the historic phone book collection held by BT Archives. Currently the database contains 430 phone... This collection contains British phone books published between 1880, the year after the public telephone service was introduced to the UK, and 1984, from the historic phone book collection held by BT Archives. Currently the database contains 430 phone books covering London and large parts of Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Middlesex, and Surrey. This collection does not currently contain full county coverage. After 1954 the format of the phone book was substantially changed and separate phone books were produced for those regions outside of the London postal area. Additional years and counties will be added to this collection over the course of future releases'. Good hunting Gillian

Wowee, I'm off to have a look! I trust they are included in the 'British collection'! Kate.

Thank you so much for that Gillian xxxxx found a couple of rellies xxx from Nottingham

Thanks Gillian Must have a look Linda

Thank you thats great news I shot off to play and looked through the first few pages then it went :( There must be too many people all trying to look at once :(

Thanks for that Gillian - I'm off to have a nosy!! LOL Mary

oooh thanks for letting us know! I just popped on and even found my family in 1981! Then I found my partners family in the 1980's and then even further back to my partners grandfather in 1936 and then his fathers business listing in 1910! Absolutely brilliant! Alex

I am very interested to see that my great-great-grandfather is listed in the very first London phone book on there, 1880, apparently before their phone numbers were even issued! At his business address, and perhaps it helped that one of the exchanges was in the same street as his office. Kate.

Thanks for that I will be off to look.It could take time of looking up living relatives Sheila

Help please. Just heard on GMTV that the BT books were available then saw this thread. Went on to Ancestry but where do I find the books please. Thanks Pam.

does it include Scotland and does it give addresses?

Oooh I got all excited when I saw this thread! I rushed off over to have a look and was sooo disappointed when I saw that it only covers London and the surrounding counties! I have to admit that I didn't read your thread properly, I just saw Phone Books on Ancestry and dashed off - that will teach me to read things! Sam x

Thanks Gillian. That is going to be a great resource for me since most of mine are from London. Off to have a look.