The Akron City Directory is really the city directory from each year, although they may not all be there. Sometimes, it is hit and miss. I found the directories for the following years at the county library: early 1870's, 1879-1880, 1885, 1890-91, etc. Listings are alphabetical, with both businesses and family names given. What I found was who was living at what address and often what business they worked at. If enabled me to pinpoint fairly accurately when my ggrandfather dies, because my ggrandmother was listed as "widow of...", plus my ggrandfather was no longer listed at the address. I have discovered cousins living near by. Also, with the addresses, I have gone to mapquest and printed out maps of where everyone was living then. Most cities have these available in their libraries. It is a good resource. Good luck. Noreen