About This Category:

The Directories & Member Lists Collection is a compilation of printed and electronic databases dating from the 1680s to 2000, containing contact information for individuals and groups from the U.S. and the U.K. (including Ireland and Scotland). Directories and member lists are the predecessors of the modern-day phone book. They listed the inhabitants of a locality, with their addresses and occupation (and sometimes business address). Since most directories list individuals alphabetically, they are one of the most easy-to-use record forms available to genealogists.

General Search Tips

• If you don't get any matches with an exact search, try broadening your search by including less information.
• Want to refine your "best matches" search? Try the Advanced Search options and fill out as much information as you can.
• Use the Soundex search. Names are often misspelled in historical records. Soundex allows you to search for last names that "sound like" the one you're looking for. Try this even if you think the spelling is obvious. Remember, even Smith can be "misspelled" (e.g., Smithe, Smyth, Smythe).
• Use a wildcard to view all words that begin with the same stem. You can use an asterisk for up to six characters. For example, a search for "fran*" will return matches such as Fran, Franny, Frank, Frannie, and Frankie. Use a question mark for a single character. For example, a search for "Hans?n" will return matches such as Hansen and Hanson.