7 Replies Latest reply on Apr 17, 2020 3:52 PM by dougk

New Digital Collection: Library of Congress U.S. Telephone Directory Collection

LOC Manuscript Division Nov 14, 2019 2:35 PM

The Library of Congress is pleased to announce the digital presentation of the United States Telephone Directory Collection which includes over 1.7 million images, digitized from approximately 3500 reels of microfilm. Dating from 1878-1987 the online presentation includes telephone directories from the following states and localities: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the city of Chicago. The Library's United States telephone directory collection consists of 8,327 digitized reels of microfilm; of these, about 3,500 are presented in this collection. The remainder of the collection may be requested from the Library of Congress Microform Reader Services.

https://www.loc.gov/collections/united-states-telephone-directory-collection/about-this-collection/

Re: New Digital Collection: Library of Congress U.S. Telephone Directory Collection

Kelly Osborn Nov 15, 2019 8:39 AM (in response to LOC Manuscript Division)

Wow, this is really interesting. How might telephone directories be used in genealogy research?
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- Re: New Digital Collection: Library of Congress U.S. Telephone Directory Collection
  
  LOC Manuscript Division Nov 15, 2019 3:11 PM (in response to Kelly Osborn)
  
  Hi Kelly -
  
  It's my understanding that telephone directories are especially useful for locating information about persons between federal censuses. They also provide evidence of persons who did not own property, register to vote, or participate in a census. When used in conjunction with city directories they can also be a tremendous local history resource.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Patrick
  Manuscript Reference Librarian
  Manuscript Division
  Library of Congress
  3 people found this helpful
  
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  - Re: New Digital Collection: Library of Congress U.S. Telephone Directory Collection
    
    Kelly Osborn Nov 15, 2019 3:32 PM (in response to LOC Manuscript Division)
    
    Thank you, Patrick! That is fascinating.
    
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    - Re: New Digital Collection: Library of Congress U.S. Telephone Directory Collection
      
      LOC Manuscript Division Nov 15, 2019 4:36 PM (in response to Kelly Osborn)
      
      Hi Kelly -
      
      The Library of Congress blogged about this digital collection today.
      
      What can you find in 1.7 million phone book images?
      
      All the best,
      
      Patrick
      Manuscript Reference Librarian
      Manuscript Division
      Library of Congress
      3 people found this helpful
      
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Re: New Digital Collection: Library of Congress U.S. Telephone Directory Collection

dougk Apr 16, 2020 5:43 PM (in response to LOC Manuscript Division)

This is great! Are there plans to add the rest of the 8,327 digitized reels online in the future?
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- Re: New Digital Collection: Library of Congress U.S. Telephone Directory Collection
  
  LOC Manuscript Division Apr 17, 2020 8:46 AM (in response to dougk)
  
  Dear dougk:
  
  You may wish to write directly to the Library's Local History and Genealogy Division via Ask a Librarian. This Division holds the Library's collection of Telephone and City Directories and may have more information about plans to digitize the remainder of the microfilm collection.
  
  Sincerely,
  Loretta
  Reference Staff
  Manuscript Division
  Library of Congress
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  - Re: New Digital Collection: Library of Congress U.S. Telephone Directory Collection
    
    dougk Apr 17, 2020 3:52 PM (in response to LOC Manuscript Division)
    
    Thank you for pointing me there. I will do that.
    
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