City directories were common in the past, listing residents' names, addresses, and sometimes occupations. They were used for a variety of purposes:
* Finding people: For personal or business reasons.
* Marketing: Businesses used them to target potential customers.
* Historical research: They provide a snapshot of a city's population at a particular time.
These directories are becoming increasingly rare, as modern technology has made it easier to find people online. However, some cities still produce them, and many historical directories are available in libraries and online archives.