How to Use City Directories In Your Genealogy Research

Discover the role city directories play in genealogy research. Learn how to find & use these resources to trace your ancestors effectively.

Are city directories a part of your genealogy toolbox?

It happens to every genealogist eventually. You’ve combed through the usual sources—census records, vital records, deeds—and yet your ancestor remains elusive. You’re left wondering, where can you find more information? Then, at a recent genealogy conference, someone suggested searching for your ancestor in city directories.

Could this lesser-known resource be the key to unlocking your family’s past? And if so, how?!

What Are City Directories and Why Should You Care?

When I first heard of using city directories in my genealogy research, I immediately thought of phone books. Yes, phone books are directories, but relatively new in the evolution of city directories.

City directories have been around for a long time with the first ones in the U.S. were published within a couple of years after the American Revolution. Directories were initially created by craftsmen and salesmen to contact the local residents and potential customers.

Directories evolved and were often created yearly which allows the genealogy researcher to track an ancestor year by year as opposed to the census records tracking individuals decade by decade.  Tracking an ancestor year by year can help you determine when he/she migrated out of an area or if their economic situation improved based on a change of neighborhoods.

The directories also included different types of information from the census records.

Understanding the context behind why your ancestor appeared in a specific time (year) and location, helps you narrow down where to search for their records.

Types of Information Found In Historical City Directories

Based on date and location, the type of information in a city directory will vary.  Below are examples of types of information potentially found in a city directory.

• Names: Many directories list not just heads of households but also spouses, often including the wife’s name in parentheses.
• Addresses: Directories provide physical addresses, sometimes allowing you to locate your ancestor’s home or business on old maps.
• Occupation: Many directories specify jobs or professions, giving insight into an ancestor’s daily life.
• Marital status (If widowed, the name of the husband): Widows are often noted, and the husband’s name may be listed alongside theirs, helping you narrow down a time frame for when the husband passed away.
• Businesses: Directories list both large and small businesses, potentially identifying employers or family-owned shops.
• Officers and Leadership of Organizations: You might find ancestors associated with local organizations, such as fire departments, educational institutions, or secret or benevolent societies.
• Area Maps: Some directories include maps of the city, showing key locations like streets, neighborhoods, and districts. These maps can help you pinpoint exactly where your ancestors lived and how the city was structured during their time.
• Addresses and Locations of Schools and Places of Worship: Directories often list schools, churches, and other places of worship, giving insights into the institutions your ancestors may have attended or been involved with, providing clues about their daily lives and community connections.

I think you are starting to see just how valuable city directories can be in your research, so let’s take a closer look.

A City Directory Close Up

Let’s take a closer look at the 1827 Salem, MA city directory. By examining its structure and the type of information it contains, you’ll see how these directories can provide valuable insights into your ancestors’ lives and their community.

The 1837 Salem, MA directory tells just what it has to offer on its title page:  Name of the inhabitants; Occupation, Businesses and Residences; City officers, etc; Street & Wharves and (my favorite) “Other useful information”.

Hmmmm…. what could “Other Useful Information actually be?

Maps

“Other  Useful Information” can include maps…..

Newspapers

A listing of the local newspapers can potentially be found and especially useful to the genealogy researcher. In this example from the The Salem Directory, 5 newspapers were in existence and provide 5 potential sources to conduct newspaper research into your ancestors.

Local Societies

Notice the Female Auxiliary Moral Society in the example below.  Yes, city directories can be a source for those elusive female ancestors!

Now let’s take a look at how to follow an individual through city directory records and see what we can learn about him and his family.

In this example,  we are following Israel Lisson through  the Rochester, New York city directories. This exert is from the 1896 Rochester, NY directory. Israel Lisson is listed, so at a minimum we can place him in time (1896) and place (Rochester, NY).  Israel’s occupation is listed as a pedler [peddler]  and he lives at 38 Nassau.

We can literally place him on the map in 1896.

Coming forward a few years, in 1915 Israel Lisson in still in the Rochester directory.

[Note: Israel Lisson appeared in each Rochester, NY city directory from 1896 forward. For brevity of this post, we have jumped forward to 1915. However, in my personal research, Israel’s appearance in each directory was evaluated.]

This time we see Israel is still a pedler [peddler] and is living at 81 Chatham.  Again, he is placed in time and place.  Notice the other Lisson family members now being listed.  

From other genealogy records we know all but Barnet are Israel’s adult children. [I’m still trying to figure out how Barnet Lisson is related to family!] 

This final directory example (below) I am sharing with you is from the 1930 Rochester directory.  By this time, Israel is dead, but note his widow Dora is listed. This directory entry can be used to narrow down a death date.

On another note, notice the other Lisson family members listed.  The married males’ wives are listed in parentheses.  Directories can be a source for finding an ancestor’s spouse!

5 Steps to Analyze That City Directory

Now it’s your turn. You have found the city directory for where your ancestors lived.   How do you get the most out of that valuable resource?

1. Make note of the location(s) included in the directory. Sometimes smaller rural communities may be included in the next larger town’s directory. 

      2. Examine the Table of Contents. What types of information and lists are included? Included information will vary greatly over  time and locations.

     3. Learn the abbreviations used in the directory. City directories use abbreviations for occupations, marital status, and addresses to save space. Familiarize yourself with these terms, like “bds” for “boards” (indicating a renter) and “wid” for “widow,” often found in a key at the beginning of the directory to ensure accurate interpretation of your ancestors’ information.

     4. Start searching for your ancestor(s). As with any record, check multiple spellings for the name. I usually start with the general population listing, then move on to the societies, businesses or other organization lists.

    5. Check the “Additions” or “Late Entries”. Usually found at the beginning or the end of the directory are those late additions that just made it in time for publication. Don’t miss out on finding your ancestor there.

Where To Find City Directories

Now that I have convinced you of the value of researching city directories, let’s find them! As with other records, what is available will vary  by state and time period. Check out these sources.

• Google books – Here is an example of an Ann Arbor, MI directory. – You can access numerous free online directories here, making it a fantastic starting point for your research. [Learn more about finding family history related books in Google books.]
• The New York Public Library – A fantastic collection of free online directories. With their easy-to-navigate digital archives, you can uncover valuable information about various cities.
• Internet Archives  – Another excellent resource, the Internet Archive is filled with scanned versions of city directories and other historical documents. Their search function makes it simple to find what you need, so don’t skip this one!
• Hathi Trust Digital Library – Another great resource! Similar to the Internet Archive, HathiTrust provides access to a treasure trove of historical documents, including city directories. You can browse their extensive library to discover directories relevant to your ancestors.
• University Collections – Many universities have archives that include local city directories. If you’re not sure where to look, reach out to a reference librarian—they’re there to help and can point you in the right direction.
• State and local archives – Don’t overlook state and local archives! These places often house unique city directories that you won’t find anywhere else. Check their online collections, or plan a visit for some in-person research.
• Big Databases – Subscription services like Ancestry.com ($), FindMyPast ($), and MyHeritage ($) have extensive collections of city directories. While they require a paid subscription, the wealth of resources they offer can be well worth it.
• Don’s List – Check out Don’s List for a variety of directories, covering both the U.S. and other countries. This can help broaden your search and uncover additional resources you might not have considered.

Incorporating city directories into your genealogy toolkit can really change the game. These resources offer a wealth of details—names, addresses, occupations, and more—that can paint a vivid picture of your ancestors’ lives. By tracking them year by year, you not only see where they lived but also gain insights into their social status, community ties, and migration patterns.

As you dive into your family history, make the most of the various sources for finding city directories. Whether you’re tapping into digital collections from libraries or exploring online databases, you’ll find that city directories can help you break down those stubborn brick walls in your research.

So, roll up your sleeves and start digging into those directories. You might be surprised by the stories and connections you uncover!

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