Hello.
I'm looking for more information about businesses in Torquay around the turn of the 20th century. Census records show both Alfred Edgar Goss ELLICOTT and his sister Adela ELLICOTT were in the drapery business and I want to confirm whether or not it was the same business. Alfred has his own family and lived in Babbacombe, while Adela lived nearby in St Marychurch with her parents and her two sisters, Annie and Julia, who she is listed as employing in the/her business. In the same census (1911) Alfred is listed as a draper, shopkeeper and employer. The 1911 directory is available online but while it lists everyone as residents, there's only the one business "A&J Ellicott, drapers and milliners" - (the milliner in the family was Julia Ellicott). It's confusing enough to warrant looking into to make certain of the arrangements within the family - can anyone help?
Also, their father William and brother William jnr ran a carriage/cab company in the town from the 1880s out of 33 Fore Street - any information about this business would be gratefully received too.
The question is; where, apart from travelling to Exeter records office, can I find out more about Torquay businesses at this time?
