City Directories

City Directories can be a helpful tool for researching your ancestors. The are particularly helpful for research in large cities, where a high percentage of people were renters, new arrivals, or temporary residents.

The most helpful directories for genealogy research are city and county directories of local residents and businesses. They are generally published annually and may include an individuals address, occupation, spouse’s name, and other helpful facts.  A persons address can be helpful when searching an unindexed census or a large city.

A directory may be the only source to list a person if they were not registered to vote and did not own property.