Helpful Websites for Chicago Genealogy Research

Adoption

Juli Claussen Search and Genealogy Services

Juli can quickly search a unique database and provide a copy of the "petition to adopt," if a match is found. She charges a modest fee for a successful search, and no fee if the search is unproductive. She has always replied to my emails in a pleasant and professional way and I feel comfortable recommending her services without hesitation.

Using the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin to Find Birth Names

Cemeteries

Chicago and Cook County Cemeteries (Barry A. Fleig)
Cook County Cemeteries (Genealogy Trails)
Includes alternate cemetery names
Cook County Cemetery at Dunning
Extensive information the history of the cemetery; includes database of burials
Cook County Cemeteries Number Two, St. Peter's Lutheran Arlington Heights Wheeling Township (PDF)
Alphabetical list of burials; cemetery read by Gertrude Lundberg in 1969
International Jewish Cemetery Project
Very detailed list of Jewish funeral homes and cemeteries in Cook County
List of Cemeteries in Cook County, Illinois (Wikipedia)

Census

A Look At Cook
Enumeration district maps

Church Records

Please see Research Tutorial > Church Records.

Directories

Please see Research Tutorial > City Directories.

History

Chicago History (City of Chicago)
Chicago History Timeline (Chicago Public Library)
Encyclopedia of Chicago (Chicago History Museum)
From the Archives (Chicago Tribune)
History of Chicago (Wikipedia)

Maps

ChicagoAncestors.org
Locate addresses on map; view nearby institutions; search city directories
Illinois Library Digital Collections
View Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
Street Re-numbering 1909
Learn about Chicago's street numbering system; convert early addresses
Street Name Changes
Convert old street names to new; guide complied in 1948
Federal Township Plats—Illinois
David Rumsey Map Collection
A Look At Cook
Locate census enumeration districts

Neighboring Counties and States

Photographs

Chicago History Museum Photostore
Explore Chicago Collections
Search or browse photographs from numerous archival collections
Charles W. Cushman Photograph Collection
Search and/or view by topic or location; covers 1939-1953
Illinois Digital Archives
Photographs and digitized ephemera; search and/or browse by topic