City Directories

City Directory Research Challenges and Solutions

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City directories are a valuable tool in determining current and former occupants, owners, business names and prior use of specific addresses. Publishing of city directories for major U.S. cities began in the 1800s. Many of the earliest directories did not include street or address sections but became more robust over time. In the 1950s and 1960s, many metropolitan areas were covered in cross directories, which included a name section, street section, and a numeric telephone section.

Envirosite leverages a Proprietary City Directory Research process:

  • Envirosite research analysts can review all forms of available historic address data including microfiche, microfilm, hardcopy, and digital materials available at major repositories and libraries.
  • Research analysts search possible street name changes and alias names when streets are not listed in the earlier directories.

Key Features:

  • Report includes all requested subject property and surrounding addresses–and can include additional street/addresses for a standard report on a single parcel property.
  • Data is presented in a clear and concise manner for easy synthesis and use.
  • Address coverage for every incorporated city and town.
  • Coverage provided at approximately five-year intervals, where available.

City Directory Research Challenges and Solutions

Download Whitepaper