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| Page 953 - Detroit City Directory - Listing for Wm. Lindsay (deceased) |
I know that city directory listings can be great sources of information for our ancestors. I use them all the time.
I’ve seen the women listed as “widow of John Smith.” However, today, I found a listing for my 2nd great grandfather, William Lindsay in the 1899 Detroit City Directory. I wasn’t looking for him specifically, but for another of our Lindsay clan. As I’m going down the list I see this entry:
Lindsay, Wm (aged 68), died July 4, 1898.
I wouldn’t have thought to look for a listing for him in the 1899 city directory, knowing that he’d died in 1898.
This gives one more piece of evidence as to his death date. I already have a death certificate, his headstone photo and his burial record from Woodmere Cemetery. But, isn’t it nice to have one more piece of evidence that confirms what I already have?
Can we ever have too much evidence? NO!
This gives me motivation to look at other city directory listings in the year following an ancestor’s death, and see if they are listed.
Was this just a one time thing, done only in 1899? I guess I’ll find out.
Have you found death dates in city directories?
OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST
CITY DIRECTORIES - A TREASURE TROVE OF GENEALOGICAL INFORMATION
MICHIGAN DEATH RECORDS ONLINE - WHERE CAN YOU FIND THEM?
Happy hunting,
Copyright © 2010-2015 Diane Gould Hall
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION
I love city directories. For a long time, I didn't know the death date of a 3rd great-grandfather, but I knew the year because one year Samuel was listed and the following year his widow was listed as widow of Samuel. Helpful to narrow down the death date!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Elizabeth. I really enjoy city directories. Full of information about our families and also about the times they lived in.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
That's so cool Diane! Congrats on your find!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jana. These types of finds are just what keeps all of us going back for more.
DeleteThat is a great find... & definitely something I haven't seen before! I'm a little embarrassed to say I often skip over city directories. On Ancestry, I know I have some direct ancestors that are showing 15+ directories I need to add. They are just sitting there. Thanks for the reminder that you never know what you might find! Also, I need to actually open up each of these directories... not just 'add' them to my tree!
ReplyDeleteHi Dana - You're welcome. I comb over those city directories all the time. From one family to another. I've found information about jobs, who lives with whom and of course addresses. Then I check the directory for ads about the place of employment. They are one of my favorite and most fun sources. Hope you find some good stuff and thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI have only found this 2 times previous, at different locations. Does help if unknown death - without a doubt. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment and thank you for stopping by.
Deletei haven't found a death date but i did find a very helpful
ReplyDeleteSmith, John removed to (name of another town) in a city directory
Yes, I have also seen those entries about people leaving town. They can be very helpful.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.