When you are researching your Chicago ancestors, you think of birth/marriage/death records, census records (Federal and State) and city directories to name a few. But what about the property your ancestors lived in? When was it built? What style was it? What type of construction?

Researching a Chicago property is not an easy task. The Commission on Chicago Landmarks provides a step-by-step guide to researching a property, “Your House has a History.” The guide includes architectural styles information, how to research building permits, an annexation map and neighborhood history sources. Plus, it has a good detailed resource center list.

You can find this guide on the City of Chicago website:

https://www.chicago.gov/dam/city/depts/zlup/Historic_Preservation/Publications/Your_House_Has_A_History.pdf

Also, take a look at the City of Chicago Landmarks webpage. Search the Chicago Historic Resources Survey Database. 17,371 Chicago properties are in the database (only some are landmarks). You may get lucky and find your ancestor’s property listed.  

https://webapps1.chicago.gov/landmarksweb/web/historicsurvey.htm

Happy Researching!