The very first place to look for information on your house is in the Local Historic Resources Survey. Most municipalities will have a copy of this book is in every branch of the county or municipal Public Library and can many can also be viewed at township offices, online or or at your local Historical Society.

If the survey lists the date and architect for your building, you're in luck. That means that Commission researchers found a permit, and additional information may be on file in the Commission Offices.

This section is republished with permission, slightly modified from a Chicago Focus to reference general links and resources for identifying and tracing the history of your home!

Special Thanks to: The Ridge Historical Society of Chicago, IL

The Ridge Historical Society website is a free resource for students, historians and anyone interested in the area history. But in order to keep it going, please consider giving back, whether as an individual or an organization, through one of the following means, according to your financial ability.

To donate or become a member click here.