Who’s that girl? See all historic American Girl dolls

American Girl launches its new historical BeForever doll, Melody Ellison, Saturday at a pair of events in Detroit.

The doll and her series of paperback books and accessories joins a long line of historical characters the company has launched in the last 30 years.

► Related: 5 things to know about Detroit’s American Girl doll

► Related: Motown, Detroit set scene for Melody Ellison’s story

► Related: American Girl store now open in metro Detroit

If you’re wondering how Melody fits in with the rest of company’s BeForever line, here’s a chronological look at the dolls and stories that make up American Girl’s historical offerings:

KAYA’ATON’MY

Year: 1764

Story: An adventurous Nez Perce girl from the Pacific Northwest, Kaya, as she is more commonly known, dreams of being a leader for her people one day. Her story centers on native American traditions, including the way lessons in her tribe were passed through storytelling from elders to children.

Availability: Kaya is still available for purchase.

FELICITY MERRIMAN AND ELIZABETH COLE

Year: 1774

Story: In 1774, Felicity Merriman and her family are patriots in Williamsburg, Va., as unrest builds in the colonies and sparks the Revolutionary War. But Felicity’s best friend, Elizabeth Cole, is a loyalist. Felicity must find a way to manage their differences and learns what freedom really means.

Availability: Both dolls were archived in 2011 and are no longer sold.

CAROLINE ABBOTT

Year: 1812

Story: As the War of 1812 begins, Caroline Abbott’s family is living in Sackets Harbor, a village on the shores of Lake Ontario in upstate New York. Her father is a shipbuilder, and the British have taken him prisoner. Caroline finds the courage to help, passing him a secret message that might help him escape. She learns to use her mind as well as her heart to make better choices.

Availability: Caroline was archived in 2015 and is no longer for sale.

JOSEFINA MONTOYA

Year: 1824

Story: A quiet girl from New Mexico in 1824, Josefina Montoya lives on a rancho with her father and sisters. She leans on tradition and custom to cope with the grief of losing her mother. Along the way, she helps others heal, too.

Availability: Josefina is still available for purchase.

CECILE REY and MARIE-GRACE GARDNER 
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Year: 1853

Story: Cécile Rey, the daughter of a wealthy and free couple of color, befriends Marie-Grace Gardner, a young, white girl whose family had just moved to New Orleans in 1853.  As yellow fever spreads through the city, the girls volunteer together at an orphanage and learn that helping others brings out qualities they share — kind hearts and adventurous spirits.

Availability: Both dolls were archived in 2014 and are unavailable for purchase.

KIRSTEN LARSON

Year: 1854

Story: Kirsten Larson is a pioneer girl who learns to embrace a new culture as her family, which is from Sweden, settles in Minnesota. In time, Kirsten learns the true meaning of home, and that love is the same in English, Swedish or any language.

Availability: Kirsten was archived in 2010 and is no longer sold.

ADDY WALKER

Year: 1863

Story: The Civil War is under way, and Addy Walker’s family lives on a North Carolina plantation, where they are slaves. As the family plans an escape to freedom, her father and brother are shackled and sold to another family. Addy and her mother muster their courage and run, leaving behind her baby sister and other relatives as they make their way north on the Underground Railroad to Philadelphia. All the while, Addy never gives up hope that she’ll be reunited with the rest of the family.

Availability: Addy is still available for purchase.

SAMANTHA PARKINGTON and NELLIE O’MALLEY

Year: 1904

Story: An orphan being raised in New York City by her wealthy grandmother, Samantha Parkington is always trying to behave properly and please her grandmother. She befriends a servant girl who works next door, Nellie O’Malley, and the two teach one another about life, friendship and helping others.

Availability: Samantha and Nellie were initially archived in 2009, but Samantha was re-released in 2014, when American Girl rebranded its historical dolls under the BeForever name.

REBECCA RUBIN

Year: 1914

Story: Growing up in a family of poor Russian-Jewish immigrants living in a tenement building on the Lower East Side of New York City, Rebecca Rubin feels the pressure many families new to America face as tradition and assimilation clash. She dreams of one day starring in movies, and uses sidewalk performances to earn money so her family can bring other relatives to America. But that upsets the family, which is concerned about proper behavior for a young girl.

Availabilty: Rebecca is still available for purchase.

KIT KITTREDGE AND RUTHIE SMITHENS

Year: 1934

Story: Kitt Kittredege is a clever girl from Cincinnati, Ohio, who tries to find ways to help her family as the Great Depression strips away their financial stability. Kitt’s dad loses his job, and the family turns their home into a boarding house to make extra money. Kit tells stories and takes pictures for a little newspaper she produces for her dad, and goes on adventures with her friend, Ruthie Smithens.

Availability: Kit is still available, but the Ruthie was archived in 2014 and is no longer sold.

MOLLY McINTIRE and EMILY BENNETT

Year: 1944

Story: Molly McIntire is living in Jefferson, Ill., in 1944. Her father, a doctor, has gone to Europe to tend to wounded soldiers during World War II, and her mother becomes a Red Cross volunteer. She faces the hardships many American families experienced at that time — food shortages and lack of materials to make Halloween costumes. While she awaits her father’s return, with her friend Emily Bennett’s help, Molly learns to improvise and work together for the common good.

Availability: Both Molly and Emily were archived in 2014.

MARYELLEN LARKIN

Year: 1954

Story: Maryellen Larkin is the middle-child among six siblings living in Daytona Beach, Fla., in 1954. A polio survivor, Maryellen finds her way through Cold War fears and prejudices with the support of a new friend. She overcomes pressure to conform and learns the value of individuality.

Availability: Maryellen is still available for purchase.

MELODY ELLISON

Year: 1964

Story: As the civil rights movement gains steam in the mid-1960s, Melody Ellison is growing up in a close-knit family in Detroit’s burgeoning African-American community. She loves to sing, and is heavily influenced by Motown Records and its artists. With the support of her family, she learns to lift her voice for equality.

Availability: Melody goes on sale Saturday at the Charles H. Wright Museum and the Twelve Oaks Mall pop-up store. It’s available online and around the country starting Aug. 25.

JULIE ALBRIGHT AND IVY LING

Year: 1974

Story: While coping with her parents’ divorce, Julie Albright discovers a love of basketball, but learns there are no teams for girls at her school. She starts a petition to let girls play, too, and discovers that creating positive change takes courage and determination.

Availability: Julie is still available for purchase. Ivy was archived in 2014 and is no longer sold.

Contact Kristen Jordan Shamus: 313-222-5997 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @kristenshamus.