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 Application Form and the 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.

2. Submit proper documentation. You may include copies of census records, land records, birth/marriage/death records, church records, burial records (cemetery name and location) as supporting documents. Do NOT send the original documents. Family Group Sheets will NOT be accepted as proper documentation. All applications and supporting documents become the property of the Chicago Genealogical Society.

3. Effective January 1, 2010: The first certificate will be $15.00 and each subsequent copy of the same ancestor to various descendants will be $10.00. Send your two-sided Application Form (the second side is the Direct Lineage Chart), proper documentation for all information, 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

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.