Directories

Scope

This guide applies to records that are organized lists of people or institutions with information about locating the subjects listed. Directories typically include names, addresses, and sometimes occupations or contact details.

What Are Directories and How Do You Recognize Them?

Directories generally appear as alphabetical or categorical listings of individuals, businesses, or organizations, often accompanied by addresses, phone numbers, or other location details. Indicators include structured columns, headings for names and addresses, and references to geographic or professional groupings.

Elements Sometimes Found in Directories

• Name(s) of individuals or institutions
• Address or location details
• Contact information (phone, email)
• Occupation or role
• Geographic or categorical headings
• Publication date or edition
• Publisher or issuing authority

Natural Group

Each separate directory volume or edition should be captured as a separate digital folder.

Descriptive Metadata

• Date: Enter the publication date or range.
• Locality: Enter the city, town, or region covered by the directory.
• Creator: Enter the name of the publisher or issuing authority.
• Volume: Enter the volume or edition designation used by the archive or custodian.
• Title: In the language of the records, enter the title designated by the archive. Otherwise, enter the title as it appears on the cover, spine, or title page of the natural group.
• Custodian Reference ID: If the archive has applied a reference ID to each volume, enter the ID in the format relevant to the archive. Enter a single hyphen (-) to indicate if no such ID exists.

Keywords (Selected Languages)