A system and method for maintaining information in a personnel directory, according to which historical data is saved and associated with current data, so that a user can locate an individual using outdated information. An embodiment of the invention includes receiving a request to edit an existing data entry of the personnel directory, copying the existing data entry to create a previous data entry, editing the existing data entry, and associating the previous data entry with an associated data entry. A further embodiment includes receiving a search query looking for the previous data entry, searching the personnel directory for the previous data entry, identifying the associated data entry as corresponding to the previous data entry, and reporting the previous data entry and the associated data entry.