On-Site Research
Arborea is located in west suburban Chicago, giving us access to a rich network of resources. If you need to conduct on-site research in the Chicago area, we can save you the trip. On-site research may include general searches through book or microfilm resources, or simply obtaining a specified document.
The Newberry Library |
Chicago's world-renowned independant research library is considered a "must" for Chicago area genealogists. Available collections include newspaper archives, directories, phone books and church records for Chicago. The Newberry's collection also extends far beyond Chicago, with a huge offering of biographies, military records, maps and atlases, as well as published family histories. View the online catalog to find specific resources you would like us to access for you. Including specific call numbers in your research request will save us time.
|
Chicago Public Library |
While it doesn't contain a large collection of unique resources, the CPL does offer an archive of periodicals, including a complete archive of the Chicago Tribune, 1849 - present, as well as the Chicago Defender, 1910 - 1975. The CPL also offers a collection of city directories, phone books, ship passenger lists and more. View the online catalog to find specific resources you would like us to access for you. Including specific call numbers in your research request will save us time.
|
Cook County Clerk's Office |
The County Clerk is Chicago's official recorder of birth, marriage and death certificates. Official vital records are available from as far back as 1872. Cook County's archive of existing marriage licenses before 1872 was destroyed in the Chicago Fire, although an index survived. Birth and death records were not officially required in the State of Illinois until 1877.
|
Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
The Circuit Court files records pertaining to divorce, probate (wills and estates), felonies, mental health, property tax and foreclosures, and more. Many records go back as far as the Chicago Fire in 1871.
|
National Archives at Chicago |
A regional branch of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the National Archives at Chicago keeps thousands of records pertaining to the Midwest regoin, as well as some duplicates of records held in Washington. Examples include naturalization (immigration) records, military service records, land warrants, federal court records, American Indian affairs, and much more. View an online listing of record holdings at the Chicago facility. Keep requests as specific as possible to save research time.
|
Illinois Regional Archives Depository at NEIU |
IRAD is a system of branches of the Illinois State Archives system. The depository at Northeastern Illinois University holds government records for Chicago and the rest of Cook County from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Records include births, marriages, deaths, coroner's records, naturalizations, probates, country hospital records and more. View a listing if the IRAD - NEIU holdings.
|
Archdiocese of Chicago Archives & Records Center |
Catholic sacramental records (baptisms, marriages, etc) from 1925 or before are available for public access. The Archdiocese keeps records for any Chicago parish that is no longer active. Other records include Catholic orphanages and schools. Records for active parishes are kept at their churches, which we may also be able to visit for you by special request.
|
LDS Family
|
The Latter Day Saints offer their collection of 2.5 million microfilms for borrowing at any local LDS Family History Center, of which there are several in the Chicago area. Available records contain billions of names from over 100 countries. Search their online catalog to save research time, and let us know what you're looking for.
|
Other Research and Historical Facilities...
- South Suburban Genealogical & Historical Society
- Illinois Regional Archives Depository at NIU
- Other county clerks, recorders, etc.