The Archives and Special Collections recently purchased 21 historic city directories from Fall River, Somerset, Taunton and Lakeville. The directories date from 1918 through 1961. Like their modern cousins, old city directories list residents, businesses, municipal offices, churches and other institutions. What is unique is that they also list each resident’s profession, their place of business, and other adults living in the same household. Many directories contain an additional list by street name, referred to as the “house” directory and some list fraternal and other societies with officers and meeting times and places. They are invaluable ready reference sources for genealogical, demographic and historical research on the local community and are especially useful for more focused studies of the local Portuguese, Jewish or other ethnic communities. The Archives and Special Collections several years ago purchased a large lot of New Bedford city directories at auction. This recent purchase rounds the collection out to include its sister city of Fall River and some surrounding communities.