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United States Directories (view source)

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=== Why were Directories Created  ===
== Why were Directories Created  ==


Directories were created for salesmen, merchants, and other interested in contacting residents of an area. They are arranged alphabetically giving lists of names and addresses. These often list the adult residents of a city or area.  
Directories were created for salesmen, merchants, and other interested in contacting residents of an area. They are arranged alphabetically giving lists of names and addresses. These often list the adult residents of a city or area.  
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Read an excellent article about directories on the [http://www.nypl.org/blog/2012/06/08/direct-me-1786-history-city-directories-US-NYC New York Public Library blog].  
Read an excellent article about directories on the [http://www.nypl.org/blog/2012/06/08/direct-me-1786-history-city-directories-US-NYC New York Public Library blog].  


=== Why Use Directories  ===
== Why Use Directories  ==


*Directories are particularly helpful for research in large cities, where a high percentage of the people were renters, new arrivals, or temporary residents.  
*Directories are particularly helpful for research in large cities, where a high percentage of the people were renters, new arrivals, or temporary residents.  
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*Find other family members.
*Find other family members.


=== Potential Content  ===
== Potential Content  ==


*An alphabetical listing of inhabitants (arranged by name, address, and occupation).  
*An alphabetical listing of inhabitants (arranged by name, address, and occupation).  
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*Death date.
*Death date.


=== Availability  ===
== Availability  ==


Time Period of availability: Directories have been published usually annually (yearly) since the early 1800's. City and county directories are similar to present day telephone  books and are useful records for locating people.  
Time Period of availability: Directories have been published usually annually (yearly) since the early 1800's. City and county directories are similar to present day telephone  books and are useful records for locating people.  
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Local public and university libraries generally have directories for their region. The Library of Congress has the largest collection of city and county directories.  
Local public and university libraries generally have directories for their region. The Library of Congress has the largest collection of city and county directories.  


=== Locating Directories  ===
== Locating Directories  ==


'''City Directories on the Web'''
===City Directories on the Web===


*[http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2469 Ancestry] - $, [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2469 free at FamilySearch Centers,] 1821-1989, dates vary by location, incomplete  
*[http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2469 Ancestry] - $, [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2469 free at FamilySearch Centers,] 1821-1989, dates vary by location, incomplete  
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*[http://www.uscitydirectories.com/ US City Directories] - identifies directories by place and gives repository and call number (incl. FHL film numbers).<br>
*[http://www.uscitydirectories.com/ US City Directories] - identifies directories by place and gives repository and call number (incl. FHL film numbers).<br>


'''Finding Aids'''
===Finding Aids===


*''City Directories of the United States.'' New Haven: Research Publications, Inc. 1971-  
*''City Directories of the United States.'' New Haven: Research Publications, Inc. 1971-  
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*[https://search.findmypast.ie/search-world-Records/united-states-directories-and-almanacs United States Directories & Almanacs] at findmypast, Index.
*[https://search.findmypast.ie/search-world-Records/united-states-directories-and-almanacs United States Directories & Almanacs] at findmypast, Index.


'''Directories at the Family History Library'''
=== Directories at the Family History Library ===


The '''Family History Library '''has a comprehensive collection, City Directories of the United States, reproduced on microform by Research Publications. This includes 336 cities and regions from the late 1700s to 1935. The pre-1860 city directories are on more than 6,000 microfiche. Directories for 1861 to 1935 are on 1,118 microfilms. These and other directories are listed in the Place Search of the [[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|FamilySearch Catalog]] under  
The '''Family History Library '''has a comprehensive collection, City Directories of the United States, reproduced on microform by Research Publications. This includes 336 cities and regions from the late 1700s to 1935. The pre-1860 city directories are on more than 6,000 microfiche. Directories for 1861 to 1935 are on 1,118 microfilms. These and other directories are listed in the Place Search of the [[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|FamilySearch Catalog]] under  
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There are also special directories that can help you locate libraries, newspapers, churches, ethnic associations, government officials, and other organizations or offices.
There are also special directories that can help you locate libraries, newspapers, churches, ethnic associations, government officials, and other organizations or offices.


=== <center>Directories by State</center> ===
== Directories by State  ==
<center>
 
{|  
{|  
|-
|-
<ul class="column-spacing-fullscreen" style="padding-right:5px;">  
<ul class="column-spacing-fullscreen" style="padding-right:5px;">  
| valign="top" align="left" |
   <li>[[Alabama Directories|Alabama]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Alabama flag.png|border|22x15px|Alabama flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Alabama Directories|Alabama]]</li>  
   <li>[[Alaska Directories|Alaska]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Alaska flag.png|border|22x15px|Alaska flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Alaska Directories|Alaska]]</li>
   <li>[[Arizona Directories|Arizona]]</li>
   <li>[[Image:Arizona flag.png|border|22x15px|Arizona flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Arizona Directories|Arizona]]</li>
   <li>[[Arkansas Directories|Arkansas]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Arkansas flag.png|border|22x15px|Arkansas flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Arkansas Directories|Arkansas]]</li>
   <li>[[California Directories|California]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:California flag.png|border|22x15px|California flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[California Directories|California]]</li>
   <li>[[Colorado Directories|Colorado]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Colorado flag.png|border|22x15px|Colorado flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Colorado Directories|Colorado]]</li>
   <li>[[Connecticut Directories|Connecticut]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Connecticut flag.png|border|22x13px|Connecticut flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Connecticut Directories|Connecticut]]</li>
   <li>[[Delaware Directories|Delaware]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Delaware flag.png|border|22x15px|Delaware flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Delaware Directories|Delaware]]</li>
   <li>[[District of Columbia Directories|District of Columbia]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:District of Columbia flag.png|border|22x11px|District of Columbia flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[District of Columbia Directories|District of Columbia]]</li>
   <li>[[Florida Directories|Florida]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Florida flag.png|border|22x15px|Florida flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Florida Directories|Florida]]</li>
   <li>[[Georgia Directories|Georgia]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Georgia flag.png|border|22x14px|Georgia flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Georgia Directories|Georgia]]</li>
   <li>[[Hawaii Directories|Hawaii]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Hawaii flag.png|border|22x11px|Hawaii flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Hawaii Directories|Hawaii]]</li>  
   <li>[[Idaho Directories|Idaho]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Idaho flag.png|border|22x18px|Idaho flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Idaho Directories|Idaho]]</li>
   <li>[[Illinois Directories|Illinois]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Illinois flag.png|border|22x13px|Illinois flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Illinois Directories|Illinois]]</li>
   <li>[[Indiana Directories|Indiana]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Indiana flag.png|border|22x15px|Indiana flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Indiana Directories|Indiana]]</li>
   <li>[[Iowa Directories|Iowa]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Iowa flag.png|border|22x15px|Iowa flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Iowa Directories|Iowa]]</li>
   <li>[[Kansas Directories|Kansas]]</li>
   <li>[[Image:Kansas flag.png|border|22x13px|Kansas flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Kansas Directories|Kansas]]</li>  
   <li>[[Kentucky Directories|Kentucky]]</li>
 
   <li>[[Louisiana Directories|Louisiana]]</li>  
| valign="top" align="left" |
   <li>[[Maine Directories|Maine]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Kentucky flag.png|border|22x15px|Kentucky flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Kentucky Directories|Kentucky]]</li>
   <li>[[Maryland Directories|Maryland]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Louisiana flag.png|border|22x15px|Louisiana flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Louisiana Directories|Louisiana]]</li>
   <li>[[Massachusetts Directories|Massachusetts]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Maine flag.png|border|22x15px|Maine flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Maine Directories|Maine]]</li>
   <li>[[Michigan Directories|Michigan]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Maryland flag.png|border|22x15px|Maryland flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Maryland Directories|Maryland]]</li>
   <li>[[Minnesota Directories|Minnesota]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Massachusetts flag.png|border|22x13px|Massachusetts flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Massachusetts Directories|Massachusetts]]</li>
   <li>[[Mississippi Directories|Mississippi]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Michigan flag.png|border|22x15px|Michigan flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Michigan Directories|Michigan]]</li>
   <li>[[Missouri Directories|Missouri]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Minnesota flag.png|border|22x14px|Minnesota flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Minnesota Directories|Minnesota]]</li>
   <li>[[Montana Directories|Montana]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Mississippi flag.png|border|22x13px|Mississippi flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Mississippi Directories|Mississippi]]</li>
   <li>[[Nebraska Directories|Nebraska]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Missouri flag.png|border|22x13px|Missouri flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Missouri Directories|Missouri]]</li>
   <li>[[Nevada Directories|Nevada]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Montana flag.png|border|22x15px|Montana flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Montana Directories|Montana]]</li>
   <li>[[New Hampshire Directories|New Hampshire]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Nebraska flag.png|border|22x13px|Nebraska flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Nebraska Directories|Nebraska]]</li>
   <li>[[New Jersey Directories|New Jersey]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Nevada flag.png|border|22x15px|Nevada flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Nevada Directories|Nevada]]</li>
   <li>[[New Mexico Directories|New Mexico]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:New Hampshire flag.png|border|22x15px|New Hampshire flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[New Hampshire Directories|New Hampshire]]</li>
   <li>[[New York Directories|New York]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:New Jersey flag.png|border|22x15px|New Jersey flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[New Jersey Directories|New Jersey]]</li>
   <li>[[North Carolina Directories|North Carolina]]</li>
   <li>[[Image:New Mexico flag.png|border|22x15px|New Mexico flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[New Mexico Directories|New Mexico]]</li>
   <li>[[North Dakota Directories|North Dakota]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:New York flag.png|border|22x11px|New York flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[New York Directories|New York]]</li>
   <li>[[Ohio Directories|Ohio]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:North Carolina flag.png|border|22x15px|North Carolina flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[North Carolina Directories|North Carolina]]</li>  
   <li>[[Oklahoma Directories|Oklahoma]]</li>  
 
   <li>[[Oregon Directories|Oregon]]</li>  
| valign="top" align="left" |
   <li>[[Pennsylvania Directories|Pennsylvania]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:North Dakota flag.png|border|22x17px|North Dakota flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[North Dakota Directories|North Dakota]]</li>
   <li>[[Rhode Island Directories|Rhode Island]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Ohio flag.png|border|22x14px|Ohio flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Ohio Directories|Ohio]]</li>
   <li>[[South Carolina Directories|South Carolina]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Oklahoma flag.png|border|22x15px|Oklahoma flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Oklahoma Directories|Oklahoma]]</li>
   <li>[[South Dakota Directories|South Dakota]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Oregon flag.png|border|22x13px|Oregon flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Oregon Directories|Oregon]]</li>
   <li>[[Tennessee Directories|Tennessee]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Pennsylvania flag.png|border|22x15px|Pennsylvania flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Pennsylvania Directories|Pennsylvania]]</li>
   <li>[[Texas Directories|Texas]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Rhode Island flag.png|border|21x20px|Rhode Island flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Rhode Island Directories|Rhode Island]]</li>
   <li>[[Utah Directories|Utah]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:South Carolina flag.png|border|22x15px|South Carolina flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[South Carolina Directories|South Carolina]]</li>
   <li>[[Vermont Directories|Vermont]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:South Dakota flag.png|border|22x13px|South Dakota flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[South Dakota Directories|South Dakota]]</li>
   <li>[[Virginia Directories|Virginia]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Tennessee flag.png|border|22x13px|Tennessee flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Tennessee Directories|Tennessee]]</li>
   <li>[[Washington Directories|Washington]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Texas flag.png|border|22x15px|Texas flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Texas Directories|Texas]]</li>
   <li>[[West Virginia Directories|West Virginia]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Utah flag.png|border|22x15px|Utah flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Utah Directories|Utah]]</li>
   <li>[[Wisconsin Directories|Wisconsin]]</li>  
   <li>[[Image:Vermont flag.png|border|22x13px|Vermont flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Vermont Directories|Vermont]]</li>
   <li>[[Wyoming Directories|Wyoming]]</li>
   <li>[[Image:Virginia flag.png|border|22x15px|Virginia flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Virginia Directories|Virginia]]</li>
   <li>[[Image:Washington flag.png|border|22x13px|Washington flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Washington Directories|Washington]]</li>
   <li>[[Image:West Virginia flag.png|border|22x12px|West Virginia flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[West Virginia Directories|West Virginia]]</li>
   <li>[[Image:Wisconsin flag.png|border|22x15px|Wisconsin flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Wisconsin Directories|Wisconsin]]</li>
   <li>[[Image:Wyoming flag.png|border|22x15px|Wyoming flag.png]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Wyoming Directories|Wyoming]]</li>  
</ul>
</ul>
|}
|}
</center>


=== Search Steps  ===
== Search Steps  ==


*Check the beginning of the directory for cutoff dates, geographical coverage, and the meaning of abbreviations.  
*Check the beginning of the directory for cutoff dates, geographical coverage, and the meaning of abbreviations.  
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*After finding a known ancestor’s address in the alphabetical listings, check the street address listing to find unknown ancestors at the same address.
*After finding a known ancestor’s address in the alphabetical listings, check the street address listing to find unknown ancestors at the same address.


=== Tips  ===
== Tips  ==


*Directories list occupants (not necessarily owners).  
*Directories list occupants (not necessarily owners).  
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*For blank forms you can use to extract information from a directory, click here:[http://web.archive.org/web/20070701140857/http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/localhistory/directory_form.pdf]
*For blank forms you can use to extract information from a directory, click here:[http://web.archive.org/web/20070701140857/http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/localhistory/directory_form.pdf]


=== What to Do Next  ===
== What to Do Next  ==


Directories serve as springboards to other records:  
Directories serve as springboards to other records:  


'''Church records'''
===Church records===


*To locate church records to search for an ancestor, use directories to find addresses of churches near your ancestor’s residence.  
*To locate church records to search for an ancestor, use directories to find addresses of churches near your ancestor’s residence.  
*If you have a marriage certificate naming the minister who performed the marriage ceremony, find his listing in directories to learn the name of his church.
*If you have a marriage certificate naming the minister who performed the marriage ceremony, find his listing in directories to learn the name of his church.


'''Land records'''
===Land records===


*Directory listings often mention whether the resident is an owner, renter, or boarder. If owner, see land records!
*Directory listings often mention whether the resident is an owner, renter, or boarder. If owner, see land records!
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