Presenter: Michael Karsen
Format: Download MP3 Audio

As Jews moved Westward, Chicago became the second largest center for them to settle starting in the mid-1800s. This presentation provides an overview of all records and resources that are useful to the Jewish researchers in search of their Chicago roots. We begin with a brief history of the Jews of Chicago. The seminar mostly concentrates on the uniquely Jewish resources such as cemeteries, funeral homes, life in Jewish Chicago which includes online publications which are searchable. It also covers the naturalization process, location/residence records, and legal documents including wills and probate files. Today with so many records available online you can do research your Chicago roots from anywhere in the world. Case studies are utilized to pull the process together.