City and business directories are available online from all over the U.S. and are what I consider another important set of information that can assist you in advancing your family history and genealogy research.
This activity of presenting links is a collaborative effort between The Ancestor Hunt and Miriam Robbins, who for years has made available the Online Historical Directories website, which presents links to directories of all types that are available online, including free collections as well as those available only via subscription. I wish to thank Miriam for her help in launching this category of records at The Ancestor Hunt.
So, what kinds of directories are available to the researcher? Naturally city and business directories, but also telephone directories, and alumni, farm, lodge, rural, and social directories.
What can you find in these records? How about:
- Full names, including middle names
- Spouse name
- Occupation
- Widows, working women, and adult children at home.
- Maps
- Businesses (and index to advertisers).
- Addresses and maps of churches, schools, funeral homes, cemeteries, post offices, courts, hospitals, benevolent associations, newspapers.
- Whether a woman is a widow (including name of husband).
- List of marriages and deaths of previous year.
- Death date.
- etc.
Here are a few good primers on the benefits of searching historical city and other directories:
- FamilySearch - United States Directories
- How to Use City Directories In Your Genealogy Research
- What's In A City Directory? (a 10 article series about City Directories)
Note: Some of the links listed below take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections' images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital.
(Updated July, 2020; recently added links are in BOLD)
Links to these free collections are presented initially with statewide collections, followed in alphabetical order by city or county. Generally, the publishing company is included in the reference to the collection, along with the collection title, and the date(s) of the directory:
Statewide
- 1966 Georgia Manufacturing Directory
- 1969 Georgia Manufacturing Directory
- 1971 Georgia Manufacturing Directory
- 1973 Georgia Manufacturing Directory
- 1974 Georgia Manufacturing Directory
- 1976 Georgia Manufacturing Directory
- Gazetteer of the State of Georgia, 1829
- Georgia Manufacturers, Producers-Processors, 1955
- Georgia Manufacturers, Producers-Processors, 1955
- Georgia Manufacturers, Producers-Processors, 1958
- Georgia Manufacturers, Producers-Processors, 1958
- Georgia Manufacturing Directory, 1960-1961
- Georgia Manufacturing Directory, 1960-1961
- Georgia Manufacturing Directory, 1963-1964
- Georgia state gazetteer and business directory ... 1881-82
- Georgia, Alabama, Florida business and professional directory
- Young & Co.'s business and professional directory of the cities and towns of Georgia, 1909-10
Albany
- Albany, Georgia city directory 1934-35 containing an alphabetically arranged list of names, a classified business directory, a street directory, and much useful miscellaneous information
- Albany, Georgia city directory 1937-38 containing an alphabetically arranged list of names, a classified business directory, a street directory, a numerical telephone directory, and much useful information
- Miller's Albany, GA. city directory. Vol. IX. 1943-1944. Containing an alphabetical directory of business concerns and private citizens, occupants of office buildings and other business places, including a complete street and avenue guide, and much information of a miscellaneous character; and a complete classified business directory
- Miller's Albany, GA. city directory. Vol. VIII. 1941-1942. Containing an alphabetical directory of business concerns and private citizens, occupants of office buildings and other business places, including a complete street and avenue guide, and much information of a miscellaneous character; and a complete classified business directory
- Miller's Albany, Georgia "the pecan center" city directory. Vol. III. 1928-1929. Containing an alphabetically arranged list of names, a classified business directory, a street or householder's directory and much useful miscellaneous information
- Miller's Albany, Georgia city directory. Vol. X. 1946-1947. Containing an alphabetical directory of business concerns and private citizens, occupants of office buildings and other business places, including a complete street and avenue guide, and information of a miscellaneous character; and a complete classified business directory
- Miller's Albany, Georgia city directory. Vol. XI. 1949-1950. Containing an alphabetical directory of business concerns and private citizens, occupants of office buildings and other business places, including a complete street and avenue guide, buyers' guide, numerical telephone directory; and a complete classified business directory
- Miller's official Albany, Georgia city directory. Vol. IV. 1930-31. Containing an alphabetically arranged list of names, a classified business directory, a street or householder's directory, and much useful information classified as miscellaneous
- Polk's Albany city directory 1922 containing an alphabetically arranged list of business firms and private citizens--a miscellaneous directory of city, county and state officials--public and private institutions, banks, churches, courts, etc.--a street and avenue guide and a complete classified business directory "the buyer's guide." Volume I
- Polk's Albany city directory 1925 containing an alphabetically arranged list of business firms and private citizens--a miscellaneous directory of city, county and state officials--public and private institutions, banks, churches, courts, etc.--a street and avenue guide and a complete classified business directory "the buyer's guide." Volume II
- R. A. Sterling's Albany Georgia city directory including Avalon, Radium Springs Rd, Cherokee Hgts, Dawson Rd, Dixie Land, Dixie Hgts, East Albany, Eugemar, Flint River Cotton Mill Village, Florary, Lakeside, Newton Rd, Ragsdale, Relswood Terrace. 1939. Contains an alphabetical list of all residents fourteen years of age and over, white and colored, with detailed information concerning each person. Complete street guide, classified business directory, and a convenient numerical telephone directory
- Athens almanac, directory, and business advertiser [1894]
- Athens city directory [1889]
- Athens city directory [1897-1898]
- Athens city directory [1904]
- Athens City Directory, Athens Directory Company, 1909
- Athens, Georgia city directory [1912-1913]
- Athens, Georgia city directory [1914-1915]
- Athens, Georgia city directory [1923-1924]
- Athens, Georgia city directory [1926-1927]
- Baldwin and chamber of commerce's Athens Georgia city directory [1938]
- Baldwin and chamber of commerce's Athens Georgia city directory supplement edition [1938]
- Baldwin's Athens Georgia city directory [1942]
- Baldwin's Athens Georgia city directory [1947]
- Baldwin's Athens Georgia city directory [1949]
- Baldwin's Athens Georgia city directory supplement edition [1940]
- Baldwin's Athens Georgia city directory supplement edition [1942]
- Baldwin's Athens Georgia city directory supplement edition [1947]
- Baldwin's Athens Georgia city directory supplement edition [1949]
- Catalogue of the trustees, officers, and alumni of the University of Georgia, from 1785 to 1894
- City directory of Athens [1916-1917]
- City directory of Athens [1920-1921]
- Directory, city of Athens, Georgia [1909]
- Directory, city of Athens, Georgia 1909
- Miller's Athens, Georgia city directory [1928-1929]
- Nelsons' Athens Georgia city directory [1956]
- Nelsons' Athens Georgia city directory [1958]
- Nelsons' Athens Georgia city directory supplement edition [1956]
- Nelsons' Athens Georgia city directory supplement edition [1958]
- Nelsons' Baldwin's Athens Georgia city directory [1952]
- Nelsons' Baldwin's Athens Georgia city directory [1954]
- Nelsons' Baldwin's Athens Georgia city directory supplement edition [1954]
- Piedmont Directory Co.'s Athens (Georgia) city directory [1931]
- Polk's Athens (Clarke County, Ga.) city directory [1935]
- Polk's Athens (Clarke County, Ga.) city directory [1937]
- Atlanta and West End directory for 1876 : to which is appended business directories of Marietta, Stone Mountain and Decatur
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Atlanta city directory - v. 45 (1921)
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1867
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1870
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1871
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1872
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1874
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1875
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1877
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1881
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1883
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1884
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1890
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1893
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1894
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1895
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1900
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1901
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1903
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1909
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1910
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1911
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1912
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1914
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1915
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1918
- Atlanta City Directory Co.'s Greater Atlanta (Georgia) city directory 1920
- Atlanta City Directory, 1867
- Atlanta City Directory, 1870
- Atlanta City Directory, 1871
- Atlanta City Directory, 1872
- Atlanta City Directory, 1874
- Atlanta City Directory, 1875
- Atlanta City Directory, 1877
- Atlanta City Directory, 1881
- Atlanta City Directory, 1891
- Atlanta City Directory, 1892
- Atlanta City Directory, 1896
- Atlanta City Directory, 1897
- Atlanta City Directory, 1898
- Atlanta City Directory, 1899
- Atlanta City Directory, 1902
- Atlanta City Directory, 1903
- Atlanta City Directory, 1904
- Atlanta City Directory, 1905
- Atlanta City Directory, 1907
- Atlanta City Directory, 1908
- Atlanta City Directory, 1913
- Atlanta City Directory, 1914
- Atlanta City Directory, 1916
- Atlanta City Directory, 1919
- Atlanta City Directory, 1921
- Atlanta City Directory, 1922
- Atlanta City Directory, 1923
- Atlanta City Directory, Atlanta City Directory Company, 1913
- Atlanta City Directory, Atlanta City Directory Company, 1916
- Atlanta City Directory, Atlanta City Directory Company, 1919
- Atlanta City Directory, Atlanta City Directory Company, 1921
- Atlanta City Directory, Atlanta City Directory Company, 1922
- Atlanta City Directory, Atlanta City Directory Company, 1923
- Atlanta City Directory, Barnwell, 1867
- Atlanta City Directory, Barnwell, 1867
- Atlanta City Directory, Beasley, 1875
- Atlanta City Directory, Bullock, 1897
- Atlanta City Directory, Bullock, 1898
- Atlanta City Directory, Bullock, 1899
- Atlanta City Directory, Foote & Davies and Hill, 1903
- Atlanta City Directory, Foote & Davies and Hill, 1904
- Atlanta City Directory, Foote & Davies and Hill, 1905
- Atlanta City Directory, Foote & Davies and Hill, 1906
- Atlanta City Directory, Foote & Davies and Hill, 1907
- Atlanta City Directory, Foote & Davies and Hill, 1908
- Atlanta City Directory, Foote & Davies and Hill, 1914
- Atlanta City Directory, Hanleiter, 1870
- Atlanta City Directory, Hanleiter, 1871
- Atlanta City Directory, Hanleiter, 1872
- Atlanta City Directory, Hanleiter, 1874
- Atlanta City Directory, Mutual Publishing Company, 1902
- Atlanta City Directory, Polk, 1891
- Atlanta City Directory, Saunders, 1892
- Atlanta City Directory, Saunders, 1896
- Atlanta City Directory, Sholes, 1877
- Atlanta City Directory, Sholes, 1878
- Atlanta City Directory, Sholes, 1881
- The blue book : a social register of Atlanta, Georgia ... - 1930
- Williams' Atlanta directory, city guide, and business mirror 1859/1860
- Brunswick City Directory, 1890
- Brunswick City Directory, 1892
- Brunswick City Directory, 1896
- Brunswick City Directory, 1898
- Brunswick City Directory, 1901-1902
- Brunswick City Directory, 1905
- Brunswick City Directory, 1908
- Brunswick City Directory, 1912
- City directory of Columbus and gazeteer of Muscogee County, for 1884
- Columbus city directory, 1888, containing an alphabetically arranged list of business firms and private citizens, a classified list of all trades, professions, and pursuits; a miscellaneous directory of the city and county officers, public and private schools, churches, banks, secret and benevolent societies, incorporated companies, etc., etc. Volume IV
- Columbus, Georgia city directory for 1898-99 containing a general and business directory of the citizens of Columbus, with a directory of the streets, numbers and occupants, together with a compendium of governments, institutions and trades, and much other useful and miscellaneous matter, such as county and city governments, corporate and other bodies, names, time and place of meeting of secret and other societies, churches, schools, etc., etc.
- Haddock's Columbus, GA. directory and general advertiser, containing a historical sketch, general and business city directory, city government, street directory, etc. [1873-1874]
- R. L. Polk & Co.'s Columbus, GA. city directory 1906
- R. L. Polk & Co.'s Columbus, GA. city directory 1908 containing a complete street guide and directory of householders--an alphabetically arranged list of business firms and private citizens--a classified list of all trades, professions, and pursuits--a miscellaneous directory of the city and county officers, public and private schools, banks, churches, clubs, incorporated institutions, secret and benevolent societies, etc., etc., etc.
- R. L. Polk & Co.'s Columbus, GA. city directory 1912 containing a complete street guide and directory of householders--an alphabetically arranged list of business firms and private citizens--a classified list of all trades, professions, and pursuits--a miscellaneous directory of the city and county officers, public and private schools, banks, churches, clubs, incorporated institutions, secret and benevolent societies, etc., etc., etc.
- Sholes' Columbus City Directory, 1891-92
- Sholes' directory of the city of Columbus, GA. August 1878. Vol. 1
- The Columbus directory for 1859-60. Containing the names of the inhabitants, a business directory, street directory, and an appendix of much useful information
- Walsh's Columbus, Georgia city directory for 1900. Containing a general and business directory of the citizens of Columbus, with a directory of the streets, numbers and occupants, together with a compendium of governments, institutions and trades, and much other useful and miscellaneous matter, such as county and city governments, corporate and other bodies, names, time and place of meeting of secret and other societies, churches, schools, etc., etc.
- Walsh's directory of the city of Columbus Georgia 1896-7 containing a general and business directory of the citizens of Columbus, with a directory of the streets, numbers and occupants, together with a compendium of governments, institutions and trades, and much other useful and miscellaneous matter, such as county and city governments, corporate and other bodies, names, time and place of meeting of secret and other societies, churches, schools, &c.
- Walsh's directory of the city of Columbus, GA. for 1902 containing a general and business directory of the citizens of Columbus, with a directory of the streets, numbers and occupants, together with a compendium of governments, institutions and trades, and much other useful and miscellaneous, matter, such as state and city governments, corporate and other bodies, names, time and place of meeting of secret and other societies, churches, schools, etc.
- Walsh's directory of the city of Columbus, GA., and Girard and Phenix City, ALA. for 1904 containing a general and business directory of the citizens with a directory of the streets, numbers and occupants, together with a compendium of governments, institutions and trades, and much other useful and miscellaneous matter, such as state and city governments, corporate and other bodies, names, time and place of meeting of secret and other societies, churches, schools, etc.
- Zorn's city directory of Columbus, GA. and Phenix City and Girard, ALA. For 1894 comprising an alphabetical list of names; a general business directory; a list of land owners of Muscogee County; city, county and state officers; churches, schools, secret societies, incorporations, and other valuable information to the public
- A directory for the city of Macon, and business advertiser, containing also an appendix of much useful information, 1866
- City directory of Macon, Georgia 1899. Vol. X. Containing an alphabetically arranged list of business firms and private citizens; a classified list of…
- Directory of the city of Macon and county gazeteer of Bibb County, for 1884
- Georgia Directory Company's directory of the city of Macon. April 24, 1896. Volume I
- Neville's Macon directory and advertiser for 1869-70
- Poe's directory of the city of Macon, 1887
- Sholes' directory of the city of Macon, 1880. Volume II
- Sholes' directory of the city of Macon, August 1st, 1893. Volume VI
- Sholes' directory of the city of Macon, December 1st, 1894. Volume VII
- Sholes' directory of the city of Macon, December 5th, 1891. Volume V
- Sholes' directory of the city of Macon, July 1st, 1878. Vol. 1
- Sholes' directory of the city of Macon, September 1st, 1888. Volume III
- Sholes' directory of the city of Macon, September 1st, 1890. Volume IV
- The Macon city directory, embracing a full alphabetical record of the names and inhabitants of Macon and its suburbs. A business directory of the city…
- The Macon directory for 1860, containing the names of the inhabitants, a business directory and an appendix of much useful information
- Miller's Moultrie, Georgia, city directory - v. 4 (1949-1950)
- Miller's Moultrie, Georgia, city directory - v. 5 (1951-1952)
- Miller's Moultrie, Georgia, city directory - v. 6 (1954-1955)
- Miller's Moultrie, Georgia, city directory - v. 8 (1960-1961)
- Savannah City Directory, Sholes, 1880
- Savannah City Directory, Sholes, 1881
- Savannah City Directory, Sholes, 1882
- Savannah City Directory, Sholes, 1882
- Savannah City Directory, Sholes, 1883
- Savannah City Directory, Sholes, 1884
- Savannah City Directory, Sholes, 1893
- Savannah City Directory, Sholes, 1894
- Savannah City Directory, Sholes, 1896
- Miller's Tifton, Georgia, city directory - v. 1 (1949-1950)
- Miller's Tifton, Georgia, city directory - v. 3 (1956-1957)
- Miller's Tifton, Georgia, city directory - v. 6 (1965-1966)
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!
For other Free Georgia Links, click on the category of interest: