CGS ANCESTOR CERTIFICATES

The Chicago Genealogical Society will issue ancestor certificates to direct descendants of early residents of Chicago or Cook County.  There are two categories of Certificates:  (1) Pioneer – an ancestor who settled in Chicago or Cook County from the city’s founding in 1833 through October 8, 1871 (Great Chicago Fire), and (2) Rebuilder – an ancestor who settled in Chicago or Cook County from October 9, 1871 through April 30, 1893 (World’s Columbian Exposition). 

In documenting your Pioneer and Rebuilder ancestors, you will be helping to preserve the records of your family and the history of the Chicago area.

Applicants need not be residents of Chicago or Cook County or members of the Society.  A certificate will be issued for each ancestor documented, and submitted as follows:

  1. For each certificate, complete both the Ancestor Certificate Application Form and the Ancestor Certificate Direct Lineage Chart as fully as possible. Please use maiden names where applicable. If unsure of any dates or information, place a question mark after them.
  1. Proper documentation must accompany the application form. Please include copies of census records, land records, birth/marriage/death records, church records, burial records (cemetery name and location), etc. DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. All applications and supporting documents become the property of the Chicago Genealogical Society.
  1. Each Certificate costs $10.00. Send your Application Form, Direct Lineage Chart, proper documentation for each Certificate, and a check for the total number of Certificates ordered to:

Chicago Genealogical Society
Attn: Ancestor Certificates
P.O. Box 1160
Chicago IL 60690-1160

You may submit as much additional information about your ancestor as you wish.

Please consider sending a short narrative of how your ancestor arrived in the Chicago area (by wagon, train, water), first residence, or experiences during and after the Great Fire.  We may publish your story in our quarterly, the Chicago Genealogist.

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This page was updated 25 September 2008.
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