where would I find out who was living at an address in 1905.I have a birth certificate of a relation so I know the address she was born but no family name in the 1901 census matches.I can only assume she was living with someone not related to us so dont know where to look.not sure if the library will have records without census form.
If it is an urban area you could try your local reference library for a copy of Kellys or the Post Office directory for that year, if they have not got it they should be able to get it for you. I would have a list of the head of the house for every property in the street. You could also try the electoral register.
you could also try searching for sound alike surnames as the rtranscriptions from the original enumerators books and indeed the actual entries in the Primary source are all based on someones interpretation of someone elses's hand writing.
Thanks dotovaposted I have tried sound alike surnames in the past with some success.I have been to the library and looked up Kellys directory 1905 on the fiche number but the names are alphabetical and would be a mammoth task as I dont know what name the head of the house had.I will try the post office next for their 1905 directory.Not sure if everyone would be on the electorial register.
cheers to you both for your help.