# How can I find references to a defunct business?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-references-to-a-defunct-business/152926>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 5, 2003, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-references-to-a-defunct-business/152926 "2003-02-05T11:41:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Maryellen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@Maryellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maryellen)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-references-to-a-defunct-business/152926/1 "2003-02-05T11:41:44Z")

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I’m trying to find out very general info on a company that was in existence in the 1930s. All I have to go on is its name and location (I even have the street address) and the fact that it was in business in the 30s for sure. I really just want to know what type of business it was, I don’t care about financial facts, etc. I found a website that looked promising, Hoover’s. It had a link to “Defunct Companies” but the page had been taken down. Are there other places to try?

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**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-references-to-a-defunct-business/152926/2 "2003-02-05T15:00:34Z")

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You could try the local chamber of commerce or historical society.

Or you could share what info you have and let us take a stab at it.

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**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-references-to-a-defunct-business/152926/3 "2003-02-05T15:16:33Z")

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Another thought: Find out what’s at that address now and write to them. They or one of their neighbors might know.

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**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-references-to-a-defunct-business/152926/4 "2003-02-05T15:23:08Z")

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If you live in the city, go to the library and see if they have city directories of that time period. You also might be able to have their reference desk look it up.

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**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-references-to-a-defunct-business/152926/5 "2003-02-05T15:28:34Z")

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**RealityChuck** ’s method would be the one I would prefer. If it is (or is near) a relatively large city, the library may even have a local history specialist or department which can help. Newspapers from the era might also be a good source of info.