City directories usually contain alphabetical list of residents. They may also contain “reverse directories” (where names are sorted by address), directories based upon occupation, lists of churches, and other information. Don’t just search the directory and, having found one reference to your ancestor, stop looking. There may be more information than just that one listing.

© Michael John Neill, “Genealogy Tip of the Day,” http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com, 29 Oct 2012.