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Most larger cities and towns in
MA published annual directories. These listed
all heads of households and employed adults. For
each name listed, the directory gives that person’s
address, whether they owned or rented there, and
their place of employment, if employed. No children
or other dependents are listed.
The directories are useful in tracking people’s
movements, and can be helpful in narrowing down
a date of death. If someone has been listed in
the directory each year and then suddenly isn’t
listed one year, that person most likely moved
or died the year before. Many later directories
actually list the date of death, or list a wife
who is now the head of household as “widow
of ______.” Sometimes a listing will say
“moved to ______.” The directories
can also be helpful in determining other aspects
of a family’s history: when someone arrived
in the area, got married, and/or changed employment.
I have access to directories for Springfield
and many of the larger surrounding towns –
Chicopee, West Springfield, Holyoke, Agawam, and
others. Also for some towns in Hampshire and Berkshire
Counties (including Pittsfield.) Directories are
usually available from about 1890 to about 1970
– but the years directories are available
vary from town to town. If I haven’t specifically
mentioned the city or town you’re interested
in,
e-mail me to see if I have directories for that
town, and what years I have.
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