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City directories often used abbreviations and shorthand to conserve space when listing residents, occupations, and addresses. Understanding these terms helps interpret household structure, employment, and residential patterns within urban communities.
| Term / Abbreviation | Meaning |
| Abbrev. | Abbreviation |
| agt. | Agent |
| appt. | Appointment |
| asst. | Assistant |
| bds. | Boards; person boarding at address |
| bet. | Between |
| bkpr. | Bookkeeper |
| bldg. | Building |
| blk. | Block |
| bo. | Boards |
| brklyr. | Bricklayer |
| carp. | Carpenter |
| cashr. | Cashier |
| clk. | Clerk |
| co. | Company |
| collr. | Collector |
| com. mer. | Commission merchant |
| contr. | Contractor |
| dept. | Department |
| dir. | Directory |
| dist. | District |
| drv. | Driver |
| emp. | Employee |
| eng. | Engineer |
| est. | Estate |
| expressman | Person transporting goods |
| foreman | Work supervisor |
| gro. | Grocer |
| h | House; resides at address |
| h. | House |
| ins. | Insurance |
| lab. | Laborer |
| lodger | Person renting room |
| mgr. | Manager |
| mfr. | Manufacturer |
| mkr. | Maker |
| mover | Furniture mover |
| nr. | Near |
| opp. | Opposite |
| phys. | Physician |
| propr. | Proprietor |
| pub. | Publisher |
| r | Resides |
| real est. | Real estate |
| res. | Residence |
| roomer | Person renting room |
| sec. | Secretary |
| supt. | Superintendent |
| tchr. | Teacher |
| treas. | Treasurer |
| wid. | Widow |
| wks. | Works (employed at) |
| wkr. | Worker |
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