A Genealogy of Place: Frequently Asked Questions for House Research, Part One

Some of the most frequently asked questions we receive in the Local History and Genealogy Division are about the history of specific houses. These questions are important not only to homeowners, but also to anyone interested in the history of certain neighborhoods.

Knowing when a street was created and when its houses were built provides insight into development of certain areas of a given town or city. Learning the background of previous owners will also suggest for what purpose a neighborhood was built (e.g., for the well-to-do, for the workers in certain industries or companies, etc…).  

This blog series will address some of the most common questions pertaining to house history, one by one…

“Does the library have photographs of my home?”: The short answer is: “Possibly, but not likely.” Rochester never undertook a house-by-house, street-by-street photographic survey of its domiciles. Our Rochester Images database includes photographs of various historic homes of note as well as images of many streets so it is possible that you may find a photo that includes your house if you search by street name. Access Rochester Images here.

Other potential sources of house photos in the division include the Images of America book series, which depicts different towns and neighborhoods, as well as the Architectural and Historical Building Data survey compiled by the Landmark Society of Western New York, which provides detailed information about various properties in the Southwedge neighborhood.

^{Typical early twentieth century streetscape. Front Street circa 1923. From: the Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center, Rochester, N.Y.}

“Would the library have the original plans for my house?”: Again, the answer is likely no. Most architectural plans were retained by the builders and probably destroyed when no longer needed. The Local History & Genealogy division has a very small selection of blueprints, but donated the bulk of its collection to the Rochester chapter of the American Institute of Architects some years ago.

The University of Rochester’s Department of Rare Books and Special Collections also has some architectural plans in their collection. University librarians respond to inquiries sent to this address: rarebks@library.rochester.edu

^{The City Directory collection of the Local History & Genealogy Division, Rochester Public Library. Photo by: Christopher Brennan, 2022.}

“How do I research the history of my home?”: The Rochester city directories are useful in tracking homeowners’ names and occupations. These volumes contain listings for Rochester residents and street addresses. From 1892-1919, the latter section was published in a separate volume called the Rochester House Directory. The two sections were then combined into one volume, with the street index section usually printed on different colored paper. 

The street index contains an alphabetical list of streets, with the names of the adults who live at each address. Later volumes include additional information such as whether the house is owned or rented, if it has been subdivided into apartments, and if the household has a telephone. A sample image of the Magee Avenue listing is provided below:

^{Excerpt of the Magee Avenue listing. From: Rochester City Directory, 1954.}

Note that the top of the listing denotes the extent of the street as well as the bus lines servicing it. Houses at 29 and 91 Magee have been divided into apartments. 76 Magee is vacant. The bell symbol indicates the household has a telephone. The symbol that looks like a target indicates that the person listed is the homeowner.

Should additional information be sought on the individual(s) living at the address, consult the alphabetical list of names towards the front of the directory.

For example, the listing for Louis J. Zirpolo indicates that he is married to a woman named Jane and works for the Eastman Kodak Company. Searching these street and name listings over a span of years will provide the basic history of a house, offering insight into when the structure was constructed, how the building was used (for home or business or both), as well as the occupational and family life of its residents.  

^{Individual listing for Louis J. Zirpolo. From: Rochester City Directory, 1954.}

What about houses built before 1892?: The first Rochester city directory (more accurately, the village directory) was published in 1827. There are also a handful of county directories (which include the towns) from the late nineteenth century. However, directories did not include listings by address until 1892. Other sources, which will be addressed in part two, will cover that contingency.

What if I live in a suburb of Rochester?: Beginning in 1930, a separate Rochester Suburban Directory was published. The initial volume profiled only four communities: Brighton, Gates, Greece, and Irondequoit. The directories added more communities as the suburbs developed. Like the city directories, these publications feature separate individual and street listings.

^{Title page of the first Rochester Suburban Directory, 1930.}

Are the directories available online?: At present, our website includes digital versions of the city directories from 1827 to 1946. Available here.

The site also includes the Rochester House Directories from 1892 to 1919, as well as the Rochester Suburban Directories from 1930 to 1946. Additional volumes will be scanned in the future. Library patrons will be notified when they become available.

Are there things to look out for when using the directories?: Yes, two common problems present themselves when using these publications. The first is that street names sometimes changed over the years.

For example, the street currently known as St. Bridget’s Drive was originally called Hand Street, and Bronson Street later became Dr. Samuel McCree Way. If you cannot find a specific street, it is possible that at the time of the directory’s publication, it had not been built yet or had a different name. Library staff can help determine if this might be the case.

Another common problem is that some house numbers change over time. As streets develop and more buildings are erected, structures often need to be re-numbered.

A case in point is the Flat Iron Café. Currently the address of the building is 561 State Street, but in the nineteenth century it was 347 State Street. In going back through the directories, one must be careful to note not only the address, but also the relation of the house to cross-streets and neighbors, so as to be certain a building with a different number is the one sought. 

-Christopher Brennan