Finding Your Chicago Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide to Family History in the City and Cook County

by Grace Dumelle

In this easy-to-use reference guide, family historian Grace DuMelle provides the means to trace Chicago connections like a pro. She shows not just what to research, but how to research. Without wading through preliminaries, readers choose any of the self-contained chapters that focus on the questions beginners most want answered. Other chapters cover the nuts and bolts of the mechanics that are the key to making a family's past come alive, with highlights summarizing important points. In finding Chicago ancestors, readers will better understand not only their family's history, but also their involvement in the history of a great American city. Midwest Independent Publishers Association Book Award - 1st Place - Hobby/How- To
Illinois Woman's Press Association Book Award - 1st Place - Instructional Nonfiction
National Federation of Press Women Book Award - 3rd Place - Instructional Nonfiction The Chicago Roots of Your Family Tree For almost 175 years, a great metropolis on the shores of a freshwater sea has sent a siren call to immigrants internal and external, giving most Americans some kind of link to the City of Big Shoulders. Whether your people came west from New England in the early days of settlement, or north from Mississippi in the Great Migration; whether they sailed from Sweden and Sicily, or flew from Budapest and Prague; whether they settled here permanently or temporarily, this easy-to-use reference guide will help you document them. Family historian Grace DuMelle provides the means to trace your Chicago connections like a pro. She shows you not just what to research, but how to research. Without wading through lots of preliminaries, choose any of the self-contained chapters that focus on the questions beginners most want answered and jump right in! Where do I start?
When and where was my ancestor born?
When did my ancestor come to America?
What did my ancestor do for a living?
Where did my ancestor live?
Where is my ancestor buried? Other chapters cover the nuts and bolts of the mechanics that are the key to making your family's past come alive, with highlights summarizing important Examples of documents such as death certificates, church registers and U.S. census entries.
Chicago-area research what they have and how to access it.
Researching using newspapers, machines and catalogs.
Sources for specific ethnic research.
Sources for long-distance research. In finding your Chicago ancestors, you will not only better understand your and your family's history, but also your and your family's involvement in the history of a great American city.

Genres: Nonfiction

323 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Cedarlakeinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this from my local library. This book has been an excellent guide for me on my genealogical quest here in Chicagoland. Fortunately, much of my family stayed put right in this area once they arrived in this country. I have acquired a massive amount of info right here. I plan on buying this book to keep as a reference guide.

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taught me everything I wanted to learn and more about genealogy in Chicago. I've been doing research in the area for four years and this handed me a dozen new paths to go down.

I borrowed this from the library, but I recommend you buy it because it is a great resource!

[Christine Arrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

could not have found some of the excellent info on my great grandparents without the tips from this book!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me to find out more about my grandparents and my great grandparents. It is a great reference to own.