Thorough research in city directories, one quick example

I recently had occasion to compare physical and virtual city directory holdings. The results for this one location -- Decatur, Macon County, Illinois -- are as follows.

Assume that you're researching families that might be in Decatur over a 50-year period. Which source has the best collection of city directories 1870-1924?

Neither.

Exclusive holdings for each are in bold underline.

Ancestry has 1889, 1893, 1896, 1899, 1903, 1907, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1921, 1922, 1923

Decatur Public Library has 1871-72, 1881, 1884, 1889, 1896, 1899, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1915, 1919, 1920

Don't assume that local repositories have a full collection for their own city! Indeed, since these books were ephemeral, more years may yet be out there.

Tomorrow night's BCG webinar on some genealogy reflexes

I'll be talking about genealogy reflexes and how they relate to doing good genealogy and becoming certified, at the BCG free webinar Tuesday night the 17th at 5 pm PST, 6 MST, 7 CST, and 8 EST. Hope to "see" some of you there. It's open to the public but seating is limited, so register early and sign in early.


https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5631969406323382786