Those with ancestors in the Windy City may wish to take a look at ChicagoAncestors.org, a website recently put online by the Chicago’s Newberry Library. The site (still in development) allows users to enter in a street address in order to generate a list of resources near that location. Currently the site pulls up Catholic and Lutheran churches, yearbooks (in the library’s collection) and nearby homicides. For churches that are located, links to websites and Family History Library microfilm numbers are also provided.
For those needing assistance with the early 1900s street re-numbering and renaming, a guide to those conversions is on the site as well. Researchers with pre-fire ancestors also have access to a guide for working in that time period. Additional features to the site (such as the ability to add user comments) and churches from additional denominations are in the works.
This is a great resource for those with ancestors in the Chicagoland area.Â
Helpful article! I have already registered on the site, as two generations of my family has roots in Chicago!
I am looking for any information on the “Thometz” family living in Chicago in the late 1800 early 1900’s. I am new at this but would like to know where they originated from. Thank you