Finding Chicago City Directories
Step 1
Check to see if the
directory you need is online. If not, go to Step
2.
1843 (PDF files at All-Ancestors.com)
1844 (PDF files at OldDirectorySearch.com)
1855-56 Chicago City Directory and Business Advertiser, Fergus (Google Books)
1856 May Supplement Chicago City Directory and Business Advertiser, Fergus (Google Books)
1855/56 (transcription at DistantCousin.com)
1866 (PDF files at ChicagoAncestors.org)
1870 (PDF files at ChicagoAncestors.org)
1871 (PDF files at ChicagoAncestors.org)
1880 (PDF files at ChicagoAncestors.org)
1885 (PDF files at ChicagoAncestors.org)
1892 (PDF files at ChicagoAncestors.org)
1900 (PDF files at ChicagoAncestors.org)
1928/29 (PDF files on the Chicago Historical
Society website; this "Numerical Street and Avenue Directory" is a companion to
the "regular" directory and is helpful for locating hard-to-find individuals in
the 1930 census (look for neigbors); lists wives names)
Step 2
If you
live in the Chicago area, you can access the directories at research facilities
such as the Newberry Library, the Chicago History Museum, the Harold Washington Library, the Arlington Heights
Library, and the Wilmette Family History Center.
If you live
outside the Chicago area, you can
- borrow the directories on microfilm through a Family History Center (about $5.50 per film)
- request pages through a Newberry Library Quick Search ($7.00)
- request pages from a lookup volunteer at the Cook County GenWeb site ($2.00 or less per page)
- access 1843-1909 directories at Footnote.com site (subscription site)