Local historians note that, with a growing interest in community history in recent years, many local people have begun looking into the pasts of their family and homes.
”We`re all curious to know where we`ve come from,” said Alice DeBoer, a librarian at the South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society, which has a research library in the former Roosevelt School Building at 320 E. 161st Pl. in South Holland.
For those local residents trying to trace their family`s roots, the society has a wealth of information on past and present residents from South Cook County (including Chicago`s South Side) and Will County.
It has several instructional booklets on genealogy that can guide people through the maze of public and private records, and it holds classes on genealogy throughout the year.
Through its library, the society can tap into such genealogical documents as government agency records (such as birth, marriage and death certificates), church records, census data, local community histories and genealogical indexes. Some copies are on hand, others can be requested.
Other resources range from naturalization records and old telephone books to funeral home and cemetery records and old obituaries from local newspapers. There is no charge for use of the materials at the society, but donations are accepted.
The society`s library is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 1 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. People interested in utilizing the society`s information are encouraged to call first at 708-333-9474.
For those interested in tracking down their home`s history, there are numerous sources of information.
For example, if you`re curious to know when your home was built, check with your local town hall for building permit records.
If you`re curious about your home`s previous inhabitants, check with your local county office. In Cook County, such ownership records are found at the Recorder of Deeds.
