City Directories: Annotated Bibliography
The following sources provide additional information as to the uses of city directories as local history resources, and their value to individual researchers.
Alexander, June Granatir. “City Directories as Ideal Censuses: Slovak Immigrants and Pittsburgh’s Early Twentieth-Century Directories as a Test Case.” Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine 65, 1982, 203-220.
This article uses city directories to trace geographic mobility of Slovak immigrants in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The directories, as opposed to traditional censuses, allow for a more complete history of a group and permit the researcher to gain better insight to the workings of a particular community.
The author received her PhD from the University of Minnesota and her dissertation focused on the Slovak Community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her use of city directories, censuses, and Slovak archives allows for a better comparison between the usefulness of directories and the decennial census.
Larson, Sarah. “Sources at the National Archives for Genealogical and Local History Research.” Prologue 13, 1981, 209-220.
When used in conjunction with city maps, censuses, church records, and other records commonly used in local libraries and historical societies, city directories can tell the story of a particular neighborhood. Information obtained from this combination of records includes ethnic make-up, religion, and business histories.
The author wrote this article for the National Archives as part of “Sources”, which was created to inform genealogy and local history researchers of the variety of materials that may prove useful in their research.
Metcalf, Fay D., and Matthew T. Downey. Using Local History in the Classroom. Nashville, Tennessee: The American Association for State and Local History, 1982.
The entire book focuses on the sources pertinent to local history researchers. References to city directories as a local history source include their use in the classroom, for occupation data, social mobility, and social geography.
Ms. Metcalf teaches high school in Boulder, Colorado, while Mr. Downey is a professor of history at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The authors have worked together on two previous books regarding the use of local history teaching methods.
Parker, Donald Dean. Local History: How to Gather it, Write it, and Publish it. New York: Social Science Research Council, 1944.
Local history provides an important insight to the larger national history, and can be used to trace a single family, the growth of a business, church history, or an individual’s life. One source that can assist in the research of these topics is the city directory.
The author feels that local history comprises one of the most important contributions to the social sciences. He covers the uses for local history resources and where to find them.
Putney, Martha S. “New York City Directory Listings of Occupations of Blacks in the 1840s.” Journal of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society 9, 1988, 58-63.
This article lists the black owned businesses in 1840s New York City. Using city directory listings, the study illustrates the prominence of a minority group that people may not have previously recognized. Admittedly, not all black business owners appear in the directories. However, they do indicate the variety of positions they held.
Martha S. Putney uses city directories as the main source for her study. In addition to listing the various types of businesses that this group owned, the author includes a summary of the sex of the owners, the number of entries relating to the topic, and the organizations that the owners participated in.
Simonsen, Judith A. “Your House History: A Guide for Research.” Milwaukee History 8, 1985, 38-55.
When researching the history of a house, city directories can provide a great deal of information. This information includes a chronological listing of owners, statistical information relating to the city, and ownership/rental history of the building. These directories prove a useful tool for the amateur researcher.
The author includes other sources that one can research when looking for house history. She clearly states the pros and cons for each individual source type as well as the types of information found in each.
Turcott, Barbara Dixon. “Concord Musical Instrument Makers.” Historical New Hampshire 22, 1967, 18-27.
City directories allow for more than just genealogical research. They also can provide a business history of a community. Business sections of city directories as well as individual business directories can provide useful information regarding business owners, duration of operation, and address changes.
The author conducted this research in conjunction with the New Hampshire Historical Society. Her use of archival documents in addition to the city directories back up the information found within the directories and add substance tot he study.
Walker, Barbara D. “Colored Residents Listed in a Washington, D. C., Directory 1827.” Journal of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society 9, 1988, p.167-169.
This article lists those residents listed as “colored” in the 1827 Washington, D. C. city directory. In addition to a listing of the resident’s names, the directory includes the rate of taxes for 1827, list of public places, the occupation, and address of the residents, allowing for a more accurate representation of the black community.
Ms. Walker uses city directories as the sole source for her compilation. This information provides clear insight into the information contained within city directory listings.
Whiteman, Maxwell. “Notions, Dry Goods, and Clothing.” Jewish Quarterly Review 53, 1963, 306-321.
Many primary sources allow researchers to gain insight into the lives of their community. City directories, when used along with newspapers, manuscripts, and other archival materials, assist the researcher in realizing a more accurate view of the history of the community.
Maxwell Whiteman works as the Librarian at Dropsie College. His study utilizes city directories, secondary sources, newspaper articles, and peddlers’ licenses to accurately depict the history of peddlers in Cincinnati, Ohio.
