How to Read Old City Directories (1822-1995) for Genealogy Research

Old city directories, dating back as early as the 19th century, are an invaluable resource for genealogists. These documents provide a wealth of information about individuals and businesses, serving as a bridge to our past. This guide will help you navigate and interpret city directories from 1822 to 1995, enhancing your genealogy research.

City directories are a goldmine for genealogists. They provide detailed snapshots of communities, offering information that can flesh out family histories in ways that vital records alone cannot. However, these directories are often filled with abbreviations that can baffle even seasoned researchers.

This blog post aims to demystify these abbreviations, helping you make the most of city directories in your genealogical research.

What Are City Directories?

City directories are akin to modern phone books, but with more detailed information about residents, businesses, and public institutions in a specific city. They were published annually or biennially, with some cities having directories dating back to the 18th century. These directories can include:

• Names of residents
• Addresses
• Occupations
• Business listings
• Spousal names
• Advertisements

These directories are particularly useful for periods between censuses and can fill gaps in official records.

Why Use City Directories in Genealogy?

City directories can help you:

1. Locate Ancestors: Pinpoint where your ancestors lived during specific years.
2. Verify Addresses: Cross-reference addresses with other records like censuses and vital records.
3. Understand Occupations: Discover your ancestors’ occupations and gain insight into their daily lives.
4. Track Movements: Follow an ancestor’s movements through different cities and addresses.
5. Identify Neighbors and Community: Learn about the community your ancestors lived in, including neighbors who might be relatives or close friends.

How to Read City Directories

City directories can be dense and filled with abbreviations. Here’s how to navigate them:

1. Start with the Index

Most city directories have an index at the beginning, listing names alphabetically. This is your starting point to find the main entry for your ancestor.

2. Understand the Layout

Directories typically include:

• Alphabetical Listings: Main section with names of residents and businesses.
• Street Directory: Listings by address, useful if you know where your ancestor lived.
• Business Directory: Listings by type of business, providing context about local industry.
• Advertisements: Ads from local businesses, offering additional historical context.

3. Decipher Abbreviations

Directories use many abbreviations to save space. Common abbreviations include:

• Occupations: lab (laborer), carp (carpenter), clk (clerk), mach (machinist)
• Residential Status: h (house/home), r (room/resident), b (boards)
• Relationships: wid (widow), s (son), d (daughter)

Example: In the 1890 Boston directory, an entry like “Smith, John, carp, h 1234 Elm” means John Smith was a carpenter who lived at 1234 Elm Street.

4. Use Cross-Referencing

Compare directory information with other records such as censuses, birth and death certificates, and immigration records to verify details and build a more comprehensive family history.

5. Track Changes Over Time

Consult directories from consecutive years to track changes in your ancestor’s address, occupation, and household composition.

Examples of City Directories

Here are some examples to illustrate how to read city directories:

Boston City Directory, 1885

• Entry: “Johnson, Wm H, clk, h 234 Beacon”
  • Translation: William H. Johnson, clerk, home at 234 Beacon Street.

Chicago City Directory, 1915

• Entry: “Davis, Geo W, lab, r 456 Ashland”
  • Translation: George W. Davis, laborer, residing at 456 Ashland.

San Francisco City Directory, 1920

• Entry: “Brown, Emma (wid Robert), r 789 Market”
  • Translation: Emma Brown, widow of Robert, residing at 789 Market Street.

New York City Directory, 1930

• Entry: “Taylor, Chas, engr, h 1025 Broadway”
  • Translation: Charles Taylor, engineer, home at 1025 Broadway.

Decoding Common Abbreviations in City Directories

City directories use a plethora of abbreviations to save space. Here’s a breakdown of some common abbreviations you may encounter:

1. Occupational Abbreviations:
   • lab: Laborercarp: Carpenterblkstr: Blacksmithmach: Machinistclk: Clerkacct: Accountantengr: Engineer
   Example: In the 1901 Baltimore city directory, you might find an entry like “Smith, John, carp, h 1234 Elm.”
2. Residential Abbreviations:
   • h: House (home address)
   • r: Room or resident
   • b: Boards (indicates the person is renting a room)
   Example: In the 1910 Chicago directory, “Doe, Jane, clk, r 567 Oak” indicates Jane Doe is a clerk and resides at 567 Oak.
3. Relationship Abbreviations:
   • wid: Widow (often followed by the deceased spouse’s name)
   • s: Son
   • d: Daughter
   Example: “Adams, Mary (wid John)” in the 1925 New York City directory shows Mary Adams is the widow of John Adams.
4. Business Abbreviations:
   • & Co: And Company
   • Bros: Brothers
   • Mfg: Manufacturing
   • Est: Estate
   Example: “Brown & Co, bakers, 789 Main” from the 1885 Philadelphia directory lists a business at 789 Main Street.
5. Street Abbreviations:
   • St: Street
   • Ave: Avenue
   • Blvd: Boulevard
   • Pl: Place
   • Rd: Road
   Example: “Jackson, Peter, engr, h 1015 Maple Ave” in the 1890 Boston directory tells you Peter Jackson, an engineer, lived at 1015 Maple Avenue.

How to Use City Directories in Genealogy Research

Step 1: Identify Available Directories

Start by identifying which city directories are available for the area and time period you’re researching. Libraries, historical societies, and online databases like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org often have extensive collections.

Step 2: Understand the Structure

City directories typically have several sections:

• Alphabetical Listings: Names of residents and businesses in alphabetical order.
• Street Directory: Listings of residents and businesses by street address.
• Business Directory: Listings by type of business.
• Advertisements: Ads from local businesses, which can also provide historical context.

Step 3: Decipher Abbreviations

Use guides, like this blog post, to decode abbreviations. Many directories also include a list of abbreviations at the beginning.

What Do City Directory Abbreviations Mean? Find Out!

Step 4: Cross-Reference Information

Compare the information in the city directory with other records, such as census records, birth and death certificates, and immigration records. This can help verify details and provide a fuller picture of your ancestor’s life. Honing your overall research skills is important to cross-reference information.

Want to level up your research skills? Read my post on The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Professional Genealogy Research Online, it’s free and full of insane challenges for you. Not really, but you’ll learn a lot!

The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Professional Genealogy Research Online

Step 5: Track Changes Over Time

By examining directories from consecutive years, you can track changes in an ancestor’s address, occupation, and household composition. Read more on how to Stay Organized in your Genealogy Research.

Examples of City Directories and Their Abbreviations

Boston City Directory, 1885

• Entry: “Johnson, Wm H, clk, h 234 Beacon”
  • Translation: William H. Johnson, clerk, home at 234 Beacon Street.

Chicago City Directory, 1915

• Entry: “Davis, Geo W, lab, r 456 Ashland”
  • Translation: George W. Davis, laborer, residing at 456 Ashland.

San Francisco City Directory, 1920

• Entry: “Brown, Emma (wid Robert), r 789 Market”
  • Translation: Emma Brown, widow of Robert, residing at 789 Market Street.

New York City Directory, 1930

• Entry: “Taylor, Chas, engr, h 1025 Broadway”
  • Translation: Charles Taylor, engineer, home at 1025 Broadway.

Free Resources for Accessing City Directories

There are several free online resources where you can access city directories:

• FamilySearch.org: Offers a vast collection of digitized city directories.
• Internet Archive: Provides free access to many historical city directories.
• Google Books: Some city directories are available for free, especially those published before 1923.
• Digital Public Library of America (DPLA): Aggregates digital content from various libraries, including city directories.
• [Local Libraries and Historical Societies]: Many have digital or physical copies of city directories and may offer research assistance.

Tips for Effective Use of City Directories

1. Start Broad, Then Narrow: Begin with a broad search (e.g., by last name) and narrow down as you gather more information (e.g., by specific addresses or occupations).
2. Keep a Record: Document each directory you consult, noting the year, city, and specific entries of interest.
3. Look for Patterns: Pay attention to recurring names and addresses that might indicate family connections or business partnerships.
4. Check Multiple Years: Changes in listings over time can provide clues about life events such as marriages, deaths, and moves.
5. Collaborate with Others: Join genealogy groups and forums to share information and strategies for using directories.

Conclusion

City directories are a treasure trove of information for genealogists, offering detailed snapshots of communities and the people who lived there. By learning to read and interpret these directories, you can uncover rich details about your ancestors’ lives, providing a fuller picture of your family history.

Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just starting, city directories can be a key resource in your research toolkit. Use the resources and tips provided here to enhance your genealogical discoveries, and bring your family history to life.

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References:

• Family History Foundation. (2017). What Do City Directory Abbreviations Mean? familyhistoryfoundation.com
• FamilySearch.org. (n.d.). U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Retrieved from FamilySearch.org
• Internet Archive. (n.d.). City Directories. Retrieved from Internet Archive
• Digital Public Library of America (DPLA). (n.d.). Retrieved from DPLA

By delving into city directories, you’ll uncover a wealth of information that can illuminate your ancestors’ stories and enrich your understanding of your family’s past.