Today I took the train into the city and headed to Daley Plaza to research Probate and Naturalization records in the Archives Room of the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court . I requested several Probate records and now have to wait (patiently) for them to be retrieved from the storage so I can view them. In a week or so I will trek back to the city to view those records. I also got copies of a few Naturalization records.
The one thing I learned about visiting the Archives Room 1113 in Daley Plaza is you must get there at 8:30 when they open. There were only two women working the front of the office and both also answered the phones in addition to helping walk-in customers. It did get busier while I was there and one of the women seemed to get a little testy because there were several of us to assist, but when others cleared out, it was fine. A smile and thank you, repeated several times during the record retrieval process, goes a long way.
After my records searched I hiked to Panera across from the Harold Washington Library to meet Thomas MacEntee of The Connected Genealogist and GeneaBloggers to name a few. We had a very nice chat over coffee and then went across the street to the library. I was even given one of his MEET*MEME Trading Cards! If you haven’t seen those on his blog, check them out. Very cool! I may have to get some for myself after seeing his! Thanks for the nice visit Thomas!!
On my way home, just as I was about to get off the train, I got a phone call from a local library about possibly teaching genealogy classes next year. Add that to my to-do list for a return phone call. It was a great day!
It was so neat to finally meet you! I had fun and there was lots to chat about. And congrats on the genealogy class – that is on my wish list of opportunities for me this next year!
Hi Jennifer! Silly question:did the library contact you out of the blue, or did you make the first contact? I don’t think my local library has genealy classes and trying to decide if I should… eek… see if it’s something they’d be interested in. Thank you!
Daphne
Actually my client passed my card to this library, but I did contact my local library about teaching a class over the winter. Have not heard back yet. Many of the libraries in the Chicago burbs have some sort of genealogy club that meets monthly, some with and some without speakers.
Sounds like fun! I haven’t been able to get back down to the Daley Center Archives room since June and I’ve still got several naturalizations to look for. I haven’t ventured into the probate realm there yet. I’d be curious to hear about what you find in them since there are quite a few I could order for myself
Be sure to let us know when you get them!
I’ll definitely post the results. I need to look through the Will Indexes when I go back. Hmmm, request a few records, go look again, request more, make another trip into the city. I could handle being in the city every two weeks or so for a day.