Print books may have an index, but not all indexes are created equally. I recently purchased a reprint of several landowner atlases for one Iowa county. The back contains an index which is very helpful. However that index only indexes the names of the landowners as shown on the property maps. It does not index the names in the biographies, photographs, or other lists that the book published.
When using any print index, determine just what the index is indexing. Looking for your name in the index without knowing that key detail may cause you to overlook information.
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Keep in mind the Plat and Directory books might not have the latest information even if it says they’re updated yearly. Also be aware of property limitations. The owners of small acreages might not be listed. Check the directory to see if they are listed there. And if they aren’t, don’t take it for granted they weren’t living there.
They can have errors as well and you are exactly correct that small parcels may not be clearly shown if they are even indicated. You comment about not taking it for granted that they were not living there reminded me that tenant farmers won’t be shown either.