How to Research Historical City Directories in Chicago
Historical city directories in Chicago provide genealogical researchers and family historians a starting point in locating potential property records. The records help establish a person's location in a city in between census years. The records may provide occupational data and information on other potential relatives. Historical Chicago city directories were created with city government listings, local school and church listings, advertisements, business listing sections and residential listing sections. These directories can be viewed at many locations in Chicago.
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Instructions
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Online
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Locate a city directory online through Chicago Ancestors at Chicagoancestors.org. Click on the year you wish to search. This example will use the 1900 directory.
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Click the letter for the surname you wish to search. The file for that letter will appear. Click on the letter 'K' and open the file. View the top of the page to see the bold capital surnames. This indicates where in the directory you are by surname. The name we are searching for is "Kokoska, Joseph." Estimate on what page this might be, and enter a page number in the box on the top of the pdf file. The actual page is 37.
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View page 37, which lists "Kohn" at the top in column one and "Kolakowski" in the top of column three. "Kokoska" should be listed on this page if he is in the directory. Scroll down the page and search. View the entries for "Kokoska." Two are listed, Kokoska, Joseph lab h 988 W 18th pl and Kokoska, Joseph lab h 4535 S. Lincoln. Copy the entry or entries based on the information gathered already about Joseph. Based on the U.S. Federal Census, his address at this time was 988 W. 18th Place. The Chicago directory is therefore another source to document his address and occupation.
Microfilm
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Search historical city directories on microfilm. One place to view microfilms is the Newberry Library at 60 West Walton St.
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Go to the research room on the second floor of the Newberry Library and head to the microfilm section. Ask to be set up on a reader and locate the city directory microfilms.
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Select the year you wish to view and remove the film box from the cabinet. Load the film onto the microfilm reader and begin scrolling through the film until you come to the section of the alphabet you seek. View the potential records and record the information.
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Tips & Warnings
Always search surname spelling variations as mistakes do occur. Search many years if you do not locate your ancestor in a specific year. Cite all the sources for the information. This means to record the name of the city directory, publisher, publisher location, page number in the directory, microfilm name and number. Should you need to return to the microfilm later, you will have all the information. It is also important to cite your sources in your genealogical database or paper record-keeping system.
