The following is an extract from the MyHeritage Blog:
As we celebrate July 4th, it’s the perfect time to dive into your family history and discover your American roots. The United States is a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, and people all around the world have American relatives. For a limited time, from July 3–7, 2024, we’re offering free access to our extensive U.S. City Directories collection.
Search the U.S. City Directories for free!
MyHeritage’s U.S. City Directories collection was produced from 26,000 directories published between 1860 and 1960, and consists of 1.3 billion individual records, which we consolidated into 561 million records.
These directories are invaluable for several reasons:
- Alternative to Census Records: City directories serve as an important resource, especially for periods where census records are incomplete or missing, such as the 1890 census, which was largely destroyed in a fire.
- Consolidated Records: Multiple records about the same individual are consolidated, making it easier to track your ancestors’ movements and activities over time.
- Rich Details: City Directories often include names, addresses, occupations, and sometimes even additional information like business advertisements, offering a vivid picture of your ancestors’ lives.
If you want to take a deep dive into the city directories, watch this in-depth webinar on Legacy Family Webinars: A Deep Dive into U.S. City Directories at MyHeritage. This comprehensive session will guide you through using MyHeritage’s U.S. City Directories collection to find not only residential information about your ancestors but much more. Learn about the unique features and search capabilities that can help you uncover detailed insights into your family history.
Usually, a Complete, Data, or Omni plan is required to view these records, but for a limited time only, you can search and view them for free. Note that you’ll be asked to create a free MyHeritage account to access these free records.
Take advantage of this limited-time offer to explore your American roots. Dive into the records to uncover addresses, occupations, and other valuable information that paints a picture of your family’s past.