The City Directories of Charleston date from the very earliest years after the Revolutionary War. A very unique resource because so few towns of that period published such a book! City Directories are just like modern Telephone Directoies. There is an alphabetized list of people - starting with "A" - then the street address. However, instead of a telephone number, the person's occupation - as Cabinet Maker, Green Grocer, Watchmaker, etc. etc. A wonderful way to learn your ancestor's job. Although the list is mostly male, it does includes women - with occupations of seamstress, hatmaker, etc. Since so many people worked at home, the "B" or business address is also usually the home address. (NW corner of King at Beresford.) If not, the "H" or home address is also given, especially in the later years. As I wrote yesterday, the directories are also interesting for their ongoing lists of churches, schools (note the studies), fraternal organizations, and advertisements ! These directories were full of city pride - come to South Carolina, wonderful climate, great opportunities, etc. Some years give immigration news, political info re the various Wards or geographic divisions of the city ( the later Census names are listed by Wards) statistical data on occupations, almanac for planting, etc. etc. The Charleston City Directories were published by private printers on no particularly fixed schedule - although approximately every other year. Publication stopped completely during the Civil War. The smaller volumes of the early years are on microfiche - and the larger volumes of later years on microfilm. Re ordering the microfiche/microfilm. When you visit your local Family History Center, the volunteers will explain how to find the number and then order the microfilm for the particular year(s) in which you're interested. The FHC's also have a printed booklet available for EACH state listing microfilmed resources available. Be sure to get South Carolina and any other state of interest - again for a very nominal amount - I believe fifty cents. I have found these microfilmed city directories, church registers and cemeteries to be a wonderful resource for family research - particularly if NOT living in the Charleston area. Plus you can make a photo copy for your records. Hope you find the microfilms as helpful and interesting as I have. Mary Alice