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Philadelphia Neighborhoods Research: URBS 210/ URBS 206: Overview

Finding census schedules, photographs, and maps for places in Philadelphia.

Welcome

This guide is intended for students in Urban Studies 210 who are researching small areas within Philadelphia. Census Manuscript details the process of  locating census schedules by address. Data and Documents lists ways to access Census data as well as city planning documents. Maps and Photographs introduces Sanborn fire insurance and other historical maps, as well as collections of photographs. City Directories and Newspapers explain holdings in Philadelphia newspapers and the city directories that functioned like telephone directories before telephones were widespread.

Useful Websites

Philadelphia, c. 1895

Black and white photo of city street corner with horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians

"Chestnut Street, west from 4th." Photograph. Philadelphia: Free Library - Historical Images of Philadelphia, c. 1885. From PhillyHistory.org http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/Detail.aspx?assetId=97870

Philadelphia Reference Works

Most Philadelphia-related books are at call number F 158.18. Unless otherwise noted, links below lead to Franklin, which will tell you where the book is located. More books can be found by searching in Franklin for Philadelphia History as a Subject.

Subject Guide

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Lauris Olson
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