In trying to get a better picture of my great grandfather William Henry Armstrong, I went through the Albany City Directory from the years 1861 to just after 1900. I picked up some interesting tidbits, but it also raised some questions. Hoping to find someone who is knowledgeable on the City Directory of that era who might be able to help.

I spotted my great grandfather in several of the directories in later years, but a couple things didn’t quite match up to known facts.

In 1880 he is listed as a “clerk” in the directory, but the 1880 census says he is a “servant.” Both list him at the same address (152 State.) I have a copy of my grandfather’s (Frederick Martin Armstrong) birth certificate from 1884, which lists my great grandfather’s occupation as “Coachman.” Again the home addresses (99 Third) on both match up. So my question is does anyone know how the information in the directory was compiled that would account for the discrepancies? From my reading "clerk" seem to be a broadly used term. I can see how a coachman could be a servant, but I don't see how either could be a "clerk."

Now here is something I find interesting: there is another William Armstrong who is also a “coachman,” but earlier than it would have been possible (age wise) for it to have been my g grandfather. The 1861 directory shows this, but the DOB range on William Henry Armstrong, my conformed great grandfather, is between 1858 and 1862. I’m not getting TOO overly excited that I might have found my great great grandfather, but I can’t help but think that MAYBE William Henry Armstrong was following in his father’s footsteps. I would like to hear opinions on whether or not this might just be a coincidence, or if I should actively work on this to either prove it, or to rule him out.

I followed both of the William Armstrongs through the 40+ years of directories. The elder seems to disappear for a couple years at a time, but always shows back up at the same address. Is it likely that he just didn’t appear in the directory or is it possible that he went somewhere else? BTW, I checked the 1870 census records and I don’t find a William Armstrong father and son in either, which is one of the years the elder “coachman” doesn’t show up in the directory. To me that gives credence to the theory that he went away.

The directory gives name, occupation (usually,) their work address, and where they live and whether it’s a house or if they board (seen alternately as “b.”, “bds.”, or spelled out as boards. For a couple years I see my great grandfather listed as a “grocer.” In one in particular, it shows MRS. William Henry Armstrong as a grocer, and where it would list residence it says: “h. do.” I know that “h” means they lived in a house as opposed to boarding, but any idea what “do.” means?

Lastly, I found some transcription errors: the html doesn’t match the image scan (sometimes people’s names are transposed with others occupations or addresses.) Is that what the “comment” button is for? I see some that I know is my great grandfather, but the transcribed record is wrong and I am hesitant to attach it for that reason.

Oops, one more thing, unrelated to the city directory. I’m working on these “long shots” because I’m waiting to hear back from a suspected church on possible records. I called last week and was told I needed to speak with someone who wasn’t in, but they left a message for them to call me; no call back as yet. How long should I wait to try again? I don’t want to be a pest, but it’s a very good lead.