City Directories

Chicago city directories cover the years 1839-1928, with a few gaps, most of which come after 1917. With a few exceptions, they generally included heads of household (including widows) and individuals who were working. Front matter generally included lists of government offices, churches, and civic organizations, and back matter included business listings.

Chicago directories can be found online at Footnote.com (subscription site) and ChicagoAncestors.org (click on the "Tools" tab to access the directories). They can also be found on Family History Library microfilm and at many research facilities in the Chicago area.


 * 1844 and 1855/56 Chicago City Directories (at CousinConnect.com; other Illinois cities also available)


 * 1856 Chicago City Directory and Business Advertiser, Fergus, May Supplement (at Google Books; searchable by address)


 * 1866 Chicago City Directory (PDF at www.chicagoancestors.org)


 * 1870 Chicago City Directory (PDF at www.chicagoancestors.org)


 * 1871 Chicago City Directory (PDF at www.chicagoancestors.org)


 * 1880 Chicago City Directory (PDF at www.chicagoancestors.org)
 * 1885 Chicago City Directory (PDF at www.chicagoancestors.org)
 * 1892 Chicago City Directory (PDF at www.chicagoancestors.org)


 * 1900 Chicago City Directory (PDF at www.chicagoancestors.org)


 * The Chicago Daily News Almanac and Year-Book, 1905 (p. 446-454 "Old Residents of Chicago" arranged by year of arrival; at Google Books; searchable by address)


 * 1910 Chicago City Directory (PDF at www.chicagoancestors.org)


 * 1928/29 Polk's Directory (by street address; PDF Chicago History Museum website; loads slowly)