Resource: City directory collection | U of L Archives Catalog

Directories for the city of Louisville, Kentucky, surrounding suburbs, and New Albany, Indiana. The Louisville city directories begin in 1832 and run through 1989. There are several years prior to 1868 that are not covered in this collection, although the gaps do not exceed four years and seldom exceed two years. This collection includes a complete run of Caron's suburban directories from 1957 through 1977. One Louisville telephone directory is also included (the 1916 edition). In addition, there are two statewide directories, one from 1859-60 and the other from 1906-1907. The earliest city directory that includes New Albany, Indiana (part of the Louisville metropolitan area also known as Kentuckiana) dates to 1845, and New Albany directories are available for nearly every year from 1877 to 1949 and between 1969 and 1989. Directories including both New Albany and Jeffersonville, Indiana are available after 1969.

Dates

1832-1989

Restrictions on Access

No restrictions.

Extent

101.25 linear feet

Additional Description

Biographical sketch

The directories provide a wealth of information. In many cases, they include the occupation (and sometimes the employer) of the individuals listed. Beginning in 1884, they also contain a "criss-cross" directory - that is, individuals are listed by name, and there is a separate listing by address. This enables the researcher to determine who lived at a particular address in a particular year. Front matter often includes directories of schools, churches, charitable institutions and the like. While Caron is the best known and most common publisher, city directories were published by a number of different firms, particularly in the 19th century. Directories were published under such names as Campbell's, E. Coy, Edward's, Gabriel Collins, German and Brothers, George W. Hawes, Grooms and Smiths, Haldeman's, John B. Jegli's, Sholes', Smith's, and Williamson's. There is also a Standard pocket street directory of Louisville (1934).