chicagogenealogy

User Rating:

374 Ratings
946 Lookups completed
880 Had result "Document Found"
1 Had result "Not Found"

Cynthia

Specializes In: Chicago and Cook County Research -- If you need lookups that aren't mentioned here, send me a message using the question box below. If I can help, I'd be happy to work with you to fulfill a custom lookup request through the site.

About Me:

I have five years of experience locating Chicago records using Family History Center resources and over twenty years of experience researching my own family history. I do lookups on Tuesdays, Thursdays (sometimes during the day and sometimes in the evening), and most Saturdays. When I'm not working on genealogy, you'll probably find me playing my fiddle or tweaking a few websites that I maintain.

Genealogical Training, Certifications, or Society/Association Memberships:

I learned about handling, storing, and indexing archival records while working on two grant projects in a small upstate New York town. I have a bachelor's degree in Japanese and a master's degree in reading instruction.

Lookups Offered:

Client Feedback:

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Very prompt service, great quality document. Thank you. 5 stars

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate (couldn't find it at FamilySearch)
Great service and document quality!

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Marvelously improved document scanned from dark original. Thank you very much.

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Excellent and prompt service.

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Excellent service once again !

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Good and fast service as usual

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Another quality service

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Another fine job.

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Service was very prompt and accurate. For a time I was expecting I'd get the document in email and didn't realize I had to to back to genlighten.com to retrieve it, but that was my fault, not the provider's or genlighten's. I'll definitely check back here for lookup requests in the future. Thanks

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate: 3+ Possible Matches
Very quick service. Another great experience dealing with them.

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate (couldn't find it at FamilySearch)
This was wonderful service and so quick! The provider also detailed how they found the information and was very helpful. I will definitely use this provider in the future!

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Prompt response, very helpful

Lookup: Chicago Catholic Parish Baptismal Record (Parish Known)
Beautiful copies of Baptism record. Even included the FHL title page, full page showing the page number, and the record by itself. Exactly how I would have done it if I ordered the film. But saved me from the film price, copy price, and mileage to order it, then go back two weeks later to look at the film, and time to search for the record. Thank you so very much!

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Excellent, quick communication and service as always.

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Excellent! Fast service, document is top-notch quality. Thank you!

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Great service - went the extra mile to provide additional info.

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Fabulous as always, keep up the quality work.

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
This provider is excellent. Great communication and super speedy. I have found a great resource for my project. Thanks for making it so easy. Elle

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Very prompt service as always. Thank you.

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Prompt service, good image quality. Thanks, Cynthia!

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
Prompt service, good image quality.

Lookup: Chicago Death Certificate
once again your service has been prompt at a reasonable cost compared with other sites and the county vital records. thanks again

Custom Request: Guillemenot divorce papers
great service, prompt and clear communication, and reasonable prices. Most highly recommended

Custom Request: Photocopies from Minnich divorce file made by ChicagoGenealogy
Thanks for doing such a great job. I really appreciate your service and will use you again. I'd give you 10 stars!

Custom Request: Geissler/Hanrahan/Harrison/Michels
great as usual!!!

Custom Request: Well - Burman Divorce File Circuit Court Case 49 C 5952
The person I was in contact with rates 5 stars but as for this site I give a half star. I found it VERY difficult to even access this site - each time I received an email notice and clicked on the link I had to sign in and then a notice came up to sign in and it blocked the area for you to sign in if you were already a member(?). I have been doing research on-line for 12 years and this site has been my was worst experience EVER - I will never use it again!

Custom Request: Chicago Circuit Court Divorce File
Very reasonable rate for this amount of work. I received images of the entire file, clearly labeled. Communication with this provider is outstanding.

Custom Request: Pre-1916 Death Record
Very prompt and helpful

Custom Request: Test Request to Evaluate Current Custom Lookup Process

Rating for chicagogenealogy

FAQ for this lookup

Do these records list funeral home names and places of burial?

Yes, the undertaker's name is usually listed and I've only seen a few death records where a cemetery name isn't given.

What information can I expect to find on a death record?

The information will vary, depending on what an informant knew, but below is a list of information you might expect to find for the various years. 1878-1903 name sex and race age in years, months, days occupation date of death marital status nationality and place where born (usually a state or country) how long a resident in the state place of death (street address and ward) cause of death duration of disease place of burial name of undertaker 1904-1909 all of the information above father's birthplace (usually a state or country) mother's birthplace (usually a state or country) number of years in Chicago 1910-1915 all of the information above name and birthplace of father (usually a state or country) maiden name and birthplace of mother (usually a state or country) informant's name and address 1916 forward all of the information above name of spouse

What is the "Chicago Death Index, 1871-1933?

The long title for this index is "Indexes to deaths in the city of Chicago during the years 1871 to 1933 : showing name, address and date of death" but that is somewhat misleading. This index is probably for burial permits, and it includes entries for deaths that occurred inside and outside of Chicago, including out of state.

Here are some reasons to search it:

1) Sometimes an address can help distinguish between two or more individuals with the same name who appear in the Cook County Death Index, 1871-1916 or the Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916-1950

2) The index lists individuals who died outside the city but are buried in Chicago. Sometimes this can help solve the "mystery" of why a person buried in a city cemetery doesn't appear in the Cook County Death Index. Local certificates for Out of Town Deaths, 1909-1915 are available on Family History Library microfilm.

3) Sometimes this index can lead to a death certificate for an individual who does not seem to appear in the Cook County or Statewide Death Indexes mentioned above. If you find an entry for a pre-1916 death in this index, but aren't able to find a certificate number in the online or microfiche index, it is worth scrolling thorough the certificate film for the surname letter/month/year. I have found a number of certificates in this way.

4) For pre-1916 death certificates, the register number in this index matches the number that is stamped on the death certificates but not the one that is handwritten. It is not useful in locating the pre-1916 death certificates on films that are arranged by the second, handwritten number, but it is useful in locating certificates if they fall on the "mixed" films from 1908-1915 or if they are for certificates for 1916-1933.

Are you able to get copies of burial permits?

No. Even though this index is often referred to as the "Burial Permit Index" (probably because it includes out-of-town deaths), it actually seems to lead to "regular" death certificates. In fact, from 1916 forward, the numbers in this index are the same as the numbers you'd find in the Illinois Statewide Death Index,

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