Directories often contain alphabetical lists of householders names and addresses, or business and professional names, or both. Some directories only list the prominent citizens in a district. This tends to be particularly so with almanacks, which nearly always only list people holding a public office. There are a wide variety of different titles, compilers and publishers of Australian Almanacs and directories such as Wise's NSW Post Office Directory of 1886, Australian Almanack and Country Directory of 1850. Directories often contain alphabetical lists of householders names and addresses, or business and professional names, or both.
Some directories only list the prominent citizens in a district.
This tends to be particularly so with almanacks, which nearly always only list people holding a public office. In the case of listings of householders, the male is usually shown as the head of the house. Sometimes, however, the names of single women and widows are listed in their own right. It is possible for a person to be listed in one type of publication and not appear in others. It is wise to therefore check all possibilities.