ISLE-OF-WIGHT-L Archives

From: "Judy Keena" <>
Subject: Useful database
Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 18:44:22 +1100

Was your ancestor a librarian?

Probably not the first question most family historians ask, but the answer
could lead you to that little extra piece of information about them.

Circulating libraries were very popular in the C19th, and many people in
trade ran and advertised a small private lending library as an additional
source of income. I found my ancestor Daniel Vonberg in the Library History
Database listed for St Helier, Jersey because he had a private circulating
library attached to his hotel.

The database at http://www.r-alston.dircon.co.uk/library.htm contains
listings for England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands. It
is a useful finding aid for family historians, as it contains a large amount
of information culled from trade directories, guides, newspapers and other
sources. Handy too, as each entry cites the source of its information. Use
your browser's "find" feature to search the pages.

There are specialist sections too, one on women in the book trade, and a
segment on "all private libraries so far identified for the period from
ca1500 to ca. 1850. Includes references to sale catalogues, inventories,
wills, &c."

The list compiler has also made "the first attempt at a listing of country
and town houses in the British Isles from the late medieval period to ca.
1850. Includes the families associated with each house, and a separate index
of family names".
Happy hunting!
Judy Keena
Sydney Australia

researching
MORRIS 1779-1860 Newport, 1860-1900 West Cowes, Northwood
HARVEY c1779 Newport
CATCOTT/CATCUTT any
VON BERG/VONBERG any
KINGSWELL any
MAGUIRE Carisbrooke c1800-1840, Newport 1760-1800
GATERELL/GATRELL any
WILLIAMS St Helens 1730-1800, Newport/St Nicholas 1815-1886
CHURCHOUSE Newport/St Nicholas 1830s-1930s
COOPER Brighstone 1700-1790 Shallfleet c1828 Calbourne 1800-1860
PINHORN/PENHORN any

This thread:

• Useful database by "Judy Keena" <>