Questions answered in this file

Is a city directory a government record?

No. Most were commercial publications compiled from canvassing, so their coverage and accuracy depend on the publisher and the people who supplied information.

Does the edition year match when the information was gathered?

Often not. Canvassing usually happened months before publication, so an entry can reflect an earlier address or household arrangement than the cover year suggests.

What does it mean if a person disappears from the directory?

It may reflect a move, a missed canvass, a spelling change, a printing error or a person who was simply not listed. Check other records before concluding anything.

Where can I find old city directories?

Public libraries, county historical societies, state archives and university libraries often hold print or microfilm runs, and some editions are available as digitized scans online.

Can a directory prove where someone was on a specific night?

No. It records a listing for a household or person at an address in a given edition, not their whereabouts on any particular date.