Historical Dolls Release and Archive Dates

American Girl has had thirteen (13) historical character dolls (Marie Grace and Cecile are being counted as two), not including dolls' friends. Here are the years each doll was introduced and archived. This list will go in order of their introduction to American Girl, not alphabetical or what year the doll is set in. I will not get into super specific dates, just the years. The original three are not listed in any specific order as they were released at the same time.

All historical dolls except Marie Grace, Cecile, Caroline and Maryellen

Main Characters
Molly McIntire - introduced 1986 / archived 2013
Kirsten Larson - introduced 1986 / archived 2009
Samantha Parkington - introduced 1986 / archived 2009 / re-released 2014
Felicity Merriman - introduced 1991 / archived 2011
Addy Walker - introduced 1993
Josefina Montoya - introduced 1997
Kit Kittredge - introduced 2000
Kaya - introduced 2002
Julie Albright - introduced 2007
Rebecca Rubin - introduced 2009
Marie Grace Gardner and Cecile Rey - introduced 2011 / archived 2014
Caroline Abbott - introduced 2012 / archived 2015
Maryellen Larkin - introduced 2015

Friends
Nellie O'Malley - introduced 2004 / archived 2009
Elizabeth Cole - introduced 2005 / archived 2011
Emily Bennett - introduced 2006 /archived 2013
Ivy Ling - introduced 2007 / archived 2014
Ruthie Smithens - introduced 2008 / archived 2014

The Historical American Girl Book Series

For years, each historical doll had the same book title with only the girl's name changed, but the newer AG dolls (like Julie, Marie-Grace/Cecile and Caroline) have been given different book titles. Kaya also has some different book titles, I believe that's due to the fact she was not living in a colony/town and her story was so different than any other AG.

Each book has a page or two in the front displaying each (main) character and a little description of their personality under their picture. In the back of the book (after the story), there is a historical summary of the time with pictures, going into detail that wasn't necessarily relevant to include in the story. Often there is a "sneak peak" of the next book in the series, meaning there are two-four pages, usually of the first chapter of the next book.

Each girl had a "Meet ____" book as their first book in their six-book series. The "Meet ___" books would usually be about introducing the girl, her family and friends, and her situation/historical time period. The second book would be titled "_____ Learns a Lesson". Each girl usually gets into trouble for something like being too adventurous, not lady-like enough, not following directions, etc. The next book would be "______'s Surprise" and is usually centered around the holidays and the girl getting some sort of unexpected present or outing. The fourth book would be "Happy Birthday ___". Every AG doll's birthday is in the spring. I suppose they did this for the ease of continuity and being able to continue each series like the ones before. Every girl ends up getting a pet for their birthday (usually a puppy).The fifth book would be "_____ Saves the Day" which is fairly self-explanatory; each girl would do something to save someone or some kind of event/celebration they were at or hosting. The final book in each series would be "Changes for ____" in which something would happen that basically wrapped up the story for each girl. The only two titles that are consistent over every series is "Meet ___" and "Changes for ____" (except for Marie-Grace/Cecile but their series is just weird in general because they share it). [Girls who did not have a "typical series" are listed at the end of this post.]

Each historical girl who has a prominent and consistent friend would have a book for their friend too. Julie's friend Ivy has her own book that comes with the Ivy doll, "Good Luck Ivy". Molly's friend Emily has "Brave Emily". "Nellie's Promise" comes with Samantha's friend Nellie. Felicity's friend Elizabeth comes with "Very Funny Elizabeth!". Kit's friend Ruthie has "Really Truly Ruthie".

Recently, the historical girls have been getting mystery books. They're geared for higher-level reading, with less pictures and longer chapters. Kaya, Josefina, Kirsten, and Addy have one mystery book each. I was a little surprised that Kirsten even had one since she's been gone (retired) for so long. Caroline has two. Felicity, Marie-Grace and Cecile, and Molly each have three (although Marie-Grace has two and Cecile has one technically).Samantha and Julie each have four. Samantha and Kit lead with five.

Girls who don't have a "typical series"
Kaya -
"Meet Kaya"
"Kaya's Escape" instead of "Kaya Learns a Lesson"
"Kaya's Hero" instead of "Kaya's Surprise"
'Kaya and the Lone Dog" instead of "Happy Birthday Kaya"
"Kaya Shows the Way" instead of "Kaya Saves the Day" (same idea though)
"Changes for Kaya"

Caroline -
"Meet Caroline"
"Caroline's Secret" instead of "Caroline Learns a Lesson"
"A Surprise for Caroline" (I don't know why they wouldn't just use "Caroline's Surprise.)
"Caroline Takes a Chance" instead of "Happy Birthday Caroline"
"Caroline's Battle" instead of "Caroline Saves the Day"
"Changes for Caroline"

Marie-Grace and Cecile - [I would like to state that I have not read any of these girls books so I do not know which books are supposed to be in place of the "typical" books.]
"Meet Marie-Grace"
"Meet Cecile"
"Marie-Grace and the Orphans"
"Cecile's Gift"
"Marie-Grace Makes a Difference"
"Troubles for Cecile"

Rebecca -
"Meet Rebecca"
"Rebecca and Ana" instead of "Rebecca Learns a Lesson"
"Candlelight for Rebecca" instead of "Rebecca's Surprise"
"Rebecca and the Movies" instead of "Happy Birthday Rebecca"
"Rebecca to the Rescue" instead of "Rebecca Saves the Day" (again, same concept, different wording)
"Changes for Rebecca"

Julie -
"Meet Julie"
"Julie Tells Her Story" instead of "Julie Learns a Lesson"
"Happy New Year Julie" instead of 'Julie's Surprise"
"Julie and the Eagles" instead of "Happy Birthday Julie" (her birthday is still celebrated in this book)
"Julie's Journey" instead of "Julie Saves the Day"
"Changes for Julie"

UPDATE - after the launch of AG BeForever brand, the dolls each have three books.I believe they are the same as the original six but now they are put into the first two books. The third book for each doll is called a Journey book and is about a girl of the present time getting transported back into the time of her doll (ie Kaya, Kit, Samantha, etc). 

Kaya -
"The Journey Begins"
"Smoke on the Wind"
"The Roar of the Falls"

Caroline -
"Captain of the Ship"
"Facing the Enemy"
"Catch the Wind"

Josefina -
"Sunlight and Shadows"
"Second Chances"
Josefina does not have a Journey book

Addy -
"Finding Freedom"
"A Heart Full of Hope"
"A New Beginning"

Samantha -
"Manners and Mischief"
"Lost and Found"
"The Lilac Tunnel"

Rebecca -
"The Sound of Applause"
"Lights, Camera, Rebecca!"

Kit -
"Read All About It"
"Things Turn Around"
"Full Speed Ahead"

Maryellen -
"The One and Only"
"Taking Off"
"The Sky's the Limit"

Julie -
"The Big Break"
"Soaring High"
"A Brighter Tomorrow"

American Girl Doll Face Molds

Author's note: I am only identifying each mold and which historical/Girl of the Year each mold was used for. If you have a Look Like Me/My AG doll, feel free to post a description or email me (americangirlemployee@gmail.com) a picture/description and I will tell you which mold was used!

American Girl dolls don't just have different hair colors and styles/eye color, their faces are actually molded in different ways. In total there are eight face molds. I have written a little description below the pictures of each version. The historical dolls are posted with each explanation and the GOTYs are at the end of the post.

The Classic face mold was used on the historical dolls Felicity, Caroline, Kirsten, Samantha, Kit, Ruthie, Molly and Emily. This mold is the most often used on the Girl of the Year dolls (Lindsey, Kailey, Nicki, Mia, Gwen, Lanie, Saige and Isabelle). The doll is considered to have "Caucasian characteristics" so it has never been used on a doll with dark skin, although it was used on Sonali who is of Indian descent. Some of the characteristics are the nose is upturned and thin, chubby cheeks and thin lips.

The Addy face mold has only been used for Addy, no GOTYs. Her nose is wider and she has fuller cheeks to fit with "African characteristics". This mold has never been used on dolls with light skin.

The Asian mold was only used for the doll Just Like You 4. She was supposed to look "East Asian" with thin, titled eyes and a slightly wider nose than the Classic but not as wide as the Addy or Sonali molds. This is the only mold to be "retired" from the American Girl face molds.

The Josefina mold's nose was different, again thinner than the Addy mold but wider than the Classic. Her lips are also fuller and her eyes are more oval than the other face molds. Josefina mold's chin is different than the other molds too; it is longer and sharper. Her head is actually a different shape too, so some glasses do not fit on her head correctly. The historical dolls with Josefina mold are Josefina, Nellie, Elizabeth, Julie and Rebecca. The GOTYs are Marisol, Chrissa and McKenna.

Kaya's face mold is the only one not to show her teeth. According to the Nez Perce (Nimipuu) Indians believe that showing teeth shows agression, so Kaya does not show her teeth. She is the only American Girl doll with this feature; there are not any other historical, GOTY, or Look Like Me/MyAG dolls without teeth. Kaya's nose is the second widest (after Addy) and in general, is very similar to the Josefina mold. Kaya had a little dimple in her chin.

The Jess mold was used for Ivy (but her eyes were specially altered for her version) and the GOTYs Jess and Kanani. The Jess mold has almond shaped eyes, the mouth is opened slightly wider and the face is a little shorter and rounder than the other molds. The chin is more pointed as well.

The Sonali mold was used first for Sonail, then the historical girl Cecile. The mold is shaped very similiarly to the Josefina mold and the nose is wider than the Classic, but smaller than the Addy. The ears on the doll are different than the other molds. The ears are flatter and less defined. Originally, this mold was going to be used for GOTY Mia.

The most recent mold created is Marie-Grace's. Like Kaya, she is the only one out of all the dolls with this face. She has a more shallow and rounded jaw line. Again, it is very similar to the Josefina mold.

GOTY pictures
Classic -

Josefina -

Jess -

Sonali -