Are your parents, grandparent or great-grandparents from Chicago or the Chicago area? If so, how much do you know about their story? To discover more about your family history check out the 10 Chicago Genealogy Resources below.
Chicago Genealogy Resources
ChicagoGenealogy.org
The Chicago Genealogical Society is a not-for-profit educational organization devoted to collecting, preserving and perpetuating the records of people who contributed in any way to the establishment of Chicago and its surrounding area.
CookCountyGenealogy.com
Visit Cook County Clerk’s Bureau of Vital Records to find Historical Cook County, Illinois vital records. Search more than 8 million genealogy Birth, Marriage and Death records.
Newberry.org/genealogy-and-local-history
The Newberry Library has been collecting genealogy and local history materials since 1887. Staff can help you explore the Newberry’s rich collections of family histories; local histories; censuses, probate, deed, court, tax, and cemetery records; military rosters; periodicals; genealogical guides; and reference works. Genealogy classes are also offered as well.
Archives.gov/Chicago
The National Archives at Chicago has both a Microfilm Research Room and an Archival Research Room with extensive microfilm holdings for genealogy research and general historical interest.
ChicagoGenealogy.com
Chicago Genealogy is a fee based organization that offers assistance in locating birth, death and marriage certificates, obituaries, census data, church records, city directory pages, and associated family history resources.
LibGuides.ChicagoHistory.org/FamilyHistory
The Chicago History Museum Research Center has a number of resources that can help in researching Chicago family history, although they do not collect standard genealogical sources.
JGSOI.Wildapricot.org
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois (JGSI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping members collect, preserve, and perpetuate the records and history of their ancestors.
JewishGen.org/infofiles/Chicago
Jewish Genealogy lists organization’s, institutions, and museums in Chicagoland.
GenealogyBranches.com/Chicago
This webpage lists places you can find Chicago genealogy records and sources online. Be aware that some records were lost in the Chicago fire of 1871. However, other resources, like the Sam Fink Index, can sometimes be helpful in the pre-1871 period for Chicago genealogy research.
Deathindexes.com/illinois/cook.html
Online Chicago & Cook County, Illinois Death Records & Indexes. A Genealogy Guide for Finding Death Certificates, Obituaries & Other Records
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While Chicago genealogical resources are a great way to learn about your family history, a parent or grandparent’s memories may be even better.
For questions to ask your parent or grandparent to learn more about their life story and your family history, check out my post ’25 Legacy Questions’.
~ Legacy Videos ~
Give your parent or grandparent the gift of a lifetime by capturing their life story for your family to know!
Here at Family Tree Video we produce Legacy Videos, modern-day memoirs that weave a filmed interview with a parent or grandparent together with family photos, documents, maps and other memorabilia. The result is a beautiful “moving portrait” capturing your loved one as they recount their life story, family history and memories – a gift your family will treasure for generations to come.
To learn more about capturing your parent or grandparent’s life story in a Legacy Video, visit us at FamilyTreeVideo.com.
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Susan Saunders
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