In 2005, Grace DuMelle, a Newberry Library employee, published a book called Finding Your Chicago Ancestors A Beginner’s Guide to Family History in the City and Cook County. This is an invaluable resource for anyone researching their Chicago Ancestors.
The book is very simply laid out with straightforward answers to all your research questions. Part I of the book is called “Getting Your Questions Answered.” Each chapter asks a question such as “When and Where Was My Ancestor Born?” and under each question are several Strategies giving examples about where to find records that might provide the answer.
Part II discusses “Practical Advice” and includes great information on searching the Census Records, Newspaper records and Vital Records. Grace also includes a few chapters on how to use Machines and Catalogs, What to Expect at Chicago-Area Research Facilities, complete with building pictures, and Top Chicago websites and Ethnic Resources. Grace’s book is so packed with wonderful information, you can refer to it again and again as new issues come up in your research.
If you are interested in learning more, Grace is teaching several one hour classes at the Newberry Library this summer. I am enrolled in two and cannot wait to go and find out what other wonderful information she will provide.
