Localities |
Using City Directories to Determine Community Identity
City directories played an important role in our ancestor’s lives, and remain invaluable local history resources today. Directories contain information regarding city residents, and often that of an entire county. This information includes an individual’s name, address, occupation, dwelling status (owner, renter, etc.), and telephone number. Often these directories were relied on more than censuses to provide a more complete demographic picture of a community.
Click on the following activities to learn the benefits of using city directories as a local history resource:
Local places to find city directories:
Eastern Illinois University Booth Library
Other related information:
