New York Directories

Online Resources

 * Inhabitants of New York, 1774-1776, ($), index/images
 * New York City Directories statewide and by county
 * Fold3 City Directories
 * New York Online Historical Directories - listed by county

History
Directories are alphabetical lists of names and addresses. City directories can help you learn where an ancestor lived. The person’s occupation is frequently given. Often the home address and business address are both mentioned. When a husband dies, many times the widow is listed as "widow of...."

Directories can help you determine which jurisdictional ward the family lived in if you are searching census records for a particular time period in a big city. Directories sometimes have maps and addresses of churches, cemeteries, courthouses, and other important locations.

Libraries and Archives
Directories listing the names, addresses, and occupations of adults have been published for at least 107 New York communities and for 18 New York counties. The Family History Library, Library of Congress, and the New York Public Library have some of the largest collections of directories. Read an informative article about directories (General and New York) on the New York Public Library blog.

Directories Online

 * New York City Directories
 * US City Directories This web site identifies printed, microfilmed, and online directories and their repositories.

The Family History Library
The Family History Library has city directories for various years from throughout the state of New York including:

Brooklyn


 * 1822-1861 Family History Library
 * 1861-1902 Family History Library
 * 1900-1913 Family History Library
 * 1933-1934 Family History Library

Buffalo


 * 1827-1860 Family History Library
 * 1861-1901 Family History Library
 * 1903, 1906-1924 Family History Library
 * 1925-1935 Family History Library

New York City


 * 1786-1796 Family History Library
 * 1797-1800, 1802-1823, 1825-1855 Family History Library -
 * 1856-1900 Family History Library
 * 1860-1935 Family History Library -
 * 1875, 1881, 1901-1915 Family History Library -
 * 1915-1925 Family History Library -

To find directories, consult the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:


 * NEW YORK, [COUNTY] — DIRECTORIES
 * NEW YORK, [COUNTY], [TOWN] — DIRECTORIES

Websites

 * Library of Congress Catalog
 * New York City Public Library
 * Access Genealogy - New York