The Branscombe Project

Trade Directories - Branscombe entries

Devon Trade Directories are a fascinating source of information about Branscombe in the past. They not only show who was living in the village but show trends. Many years ago there were shopkeepers, bakers, shoe makers, tailors, and millers. We still have one blacksmith but there were more in the past.

In the twentieth century tourism was becoming established and from the early 1900s apartments started to be advertised. Always present were the farmers and the last directory included – 1939 – shows some of them advertising camping sites with farm produce available.

The directories are transcribed exactly and it is interesting to see how the spelling of some of the names of buildings or places has changed, if only slightly.

We are hoping some stories will come out of putting these directories on our website and would love to hear if the directories have helped your research!

Click here to view the Trade directories