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From: Gerry Bourguignon <>
Subject: [Q-R] City directories
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2002 19:12:57 -0500


Hello.

I have a general question about using city directories in genealogical
research.

Before posting this message, I took a quick look on the web and found, for
example, that the Victoria Archives site suggested that a "search through
city directories gives an idea as to when a person arrived in Victoria".

For me it's not Victoria, British Columbia but rather Ottawa, Ontario. Am I
to assume that if my ancestor is listed in the 1868 Ottawa directory, for
example, but not in the 1866 directory, that he arrived in Ottawa between
1866 and 1868?

As you can probably tell, I know nothing about city directories. I do know
that in today's telephone directories we are listed if we have a phone and
do not explicitly request that our number be unlisted. Was is similar with
the city directories, or did people have to pay to get their name listed?

Thanks.
Gerry

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