Urban Guides
While many researchers tracing ancestors in urban areas utilize city directories for locating specific ancestors, urban guides can be another useful tool for more in depth clues. A number of genealogical and historical guides for specific cities have been published over time. When available, these guides have proven to be useful especially for patrons forced by circumstances to perform long distance research.
These types of publications usually identify the archives and major repositories serving the urban area and its immediate surroundings, vital records and city/county clerkâs offices, courts (civil, county, state, and federal), genealogical and historical societies, and libraries with genealogical and special collections. These libraries may be public, academic, or law libraries. Libraries that are mentioned usually have holdings that include significant amounts of genealogical and/or historical information. The listings for these offices and libraries normally include addresses, phone numbers, and hours of operations.
Most professionals recommend looking the particular office or library up on the Internet and look for the icon for contact information. This will have the latest information, including any specialized guidelines, fees, and other pertinent information needed to obtain the information for your query. Some but not all may offer an online query form that will allow patrons to submit a brief query about their research topic or question. Some directories also include area maps, and timelines of major historical events that may have influenced the lives of ancestors and the availability of records.
Researchers may find that details pertaining to records maintained by public agencies in one jurisdiction may be helpful in other cities and counties because most operate in a similar manner procedure wise. Some of the cities where these urban directories have been published at one time or another include Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and St. Louis.
BLM 3/3/2017