This database contains a history, gazetteer, and directory of Leicester and Rutland, England, from 1863 (the year of publishing). It includes a general history and description of both counties, which provides information about the population, agriculture, poor law unions, farms, schools, ecclesiastical history, major historical events, etc of these areas. For each of the towns, parishes, townships, chapelries, villages, hamlets, hundreds, manors, and unions found within Leicester and Rutland there are separate historical, statistical, and topographical descriptions, as well as alphabetical and classified directories. These directories generally provide the names of the inhabitants, along with their addresses and occupational information. This work is of great worth to the genealogist because of the nature of the historical and local information provided. It may not only help you pinpoint your ancestor in a particular place and time, but it may also provide you with information that will help you put your ancestor into historical context.