Book Description

This annual publication was first issued in 1863 as "The Natal almanac and yearly register 1864", edited by Thomas Phipson (1815-1876). Published by P. Davis & Sons, Peter Davis owned the "Natal Witness" daily newspaper and was later Mayor of Pietermaritzburg. Peter Davis Jnr took over from his father as chairman of the company in 1873 until his retirement in 1916. In 1871, the title of the almanac was changed to "The Natal almanac, directory and yearly register" for the 1872 issue. Davis' issues to 1906 and are commonly referred to as the; "Natal Almanac", "Natal Directory" or "Davis' Natal Directory". In 1907, the Natal Almanac was bought by publisher, A.C. Braby, and subsequently issued as "Braby's Natal Directory". The last year of Braby's issues in print form is for 2013, subsequently published in digital format.