About the Society
The South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society serves as the premier research facility for family historians and genealogists investigating South Cook County and East Will County families. Located in Hazel Crest, Illinois, the Society operates an extensive research library that has become an invaluable resource for anyone tracing ancestry in the southern Chicago suburbs.
What sets this society apart is its specialized focus on a specific geographic region combined with an impressive depth of primary source materials. While many genealogical societies collect published genealogies and reference materials, the South Suburban Society has amassed extraordinary collections of original records—census data, funeral home records, cemetery documentation, church histories, and unique materials like Pullman Car Works personnel files.
The Society's service area encompasses the southern portion of Cook County and the eastern townships of Will County, including the historically significant Pullman and Roseland neighborhoods on Chicago's far south side. This region has a rich industrial and immigrant heritage, with successive waves of settlers creating diverse communities that the Society documents and preserves.
Research Library Collections
Census Records
The library houses extensive census materials for South Cook County and surrounding areas:
- Federal census records from 1840 through the most recent public release
- Illinois state census records
- Census indexes and finding aids
- Soundex cards and supplementary materials
- Agricultural and manufacturing census schedules
These census records are essential for tracking families through time, identifying neighbors and relatives, and understanding community development.
Funeral Home Records
One of the library's most valuable collections consists of funeral home records from closed or relocated mortuaries in the South Cook County area. These records typically include:
- Name and vital statistics of the deceased
- Date and place of death
- Cemetery and burial information
- Names of parents, spouse, and next of kin
- Occupation and residence information
- Sometimes birthplace and immigration details
For genealogists, funeral home records often provide family connections and biographical details not available elsewhere. They're especially valuable for the period before widespread death certificate access.
Cemetery Records
The Society has compiled comprehensive cemetery documentation for the region:
- Tombstone transcriptions from dozens of cemeteries
- Cemetery plot maps and sexton records
- Burial cards and interment indexes
- Information on abandoned or relocated cemeteries
- Veterans' burial information
These cemetery records help researchers locate ancestors' final resting places and often reveal family relationships through plot ownership and proximity.
Pullman Car Works Personnel Records
The library holds a unique collection of Pullman Company employee records, documenting workers at the historic Pullman Car Works on Chicago's south side. These records are particularly significant because:
- The Pullman Works employed thousands of workers from diverse backgrounds
- Many South Cook County residents worked at the plant
- Records document African American Pullman porters
- Materials relate to the famous Pullman Strike of 1894
- The planned community of Pullman is now a National Monument
For descendants of Pullman employees, these records provide employment history, work locations, and connections to this nationally significant industrial heritage site.
Church Records
The library's church history collection includes:
- Baptismal, marriage, and burial records from closed or relocated churches
- Church directories and membership lists
- Anniversary booklets and church histories
- Records from various denominations serving the area
Church records often pre-date government vital records and provide crucial genealogical evidence, especially for Catholic and Lutheran immigrants who maintained detailed sacramental records.
Obituary Files
The Society maintains extensive obituary clipping files from South Cook County newspapers:
- Organized alphabetically by surname
- Spanning multiple decades
- Including both published obituaries and death notices
- Supplemented with researcher-submitted materials
Obituaries often contain family information, biographical details, and connections to multiple communities, making them invaluable for family history research.
Local Histories & Reference Materials
Beyond genealogical records, the library holds:
- Published local histories for South Cook County communities
- City directories and telephone books
- Historic maps and atlases
- School yearbooks and directories
- Photographs and historical images
- Naturalization records and immigration documentation
- Military service records and veterans' information
- Plat books and property records
Geographic Service Area
South Cook County Townships
The Society's primary focus encompasses nine townships in southern Cook County:
- Bloom Township - Chicago Heights, Glenwood, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Steger
- Bremen Township - Midlothian, Oak Forest, Tinley Park, Country Club Hills
- Calumet Township - Burnham, Calumet City, Lansing
- Lemont Township - Lemont, Woodridge
- Orland Township - Orland Park, Orland Hills
- Palos Township - Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Worth
- Rich Township - Matteson, Richton Park, University Park
- Thornton Township - Blue Island, Calumet Park, Dolton, Harvey, Homewood, Phoenix, Riverdale, South Holland, Thornton
- Worth Township - Alsip, Evergreen Park, Worth
Chicago Neighborhoods
The Society also covers two historically significant Chicago neighborhoods:
- Roseland - Historic Dutch settlement area on Chicago's far south side
- Pullman - Planned industrial town, now a National Monument
East Will County
The Society's collection extends into adjacent Will County townships:
- Monee Township
- Crete Township
- Washington Township
- Will Township
Where The Trails Cross Journal
The South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society publishes Where The Trails Cross, a biannual journal featuring:
- Transcribed historical records from the research library
- Cemetery listings and tombstone readings
- Historical articles about South Cook County communities
- Family genealogies and lineage studies
- Research methodology articles
- Source citations and research tips specific to the area
Back issues of the journal contain published transcriptions of records that may not be accessible elsewhere, making the journal series itself a valuable research tool.
Visiting the Research Library
Planning Your Visit
The research library is located in Hazel Crest, easily accessible from the southern Chicago suburbs. The facility provides:
- On-site research space
- Access to unique manuscript collections
- Assistance from knowledgeable volunteers
- Photocopying and document services
Before You Visit
To make the most of your research visit:
- Check current hours and any access restrictions
- Bring specific names, dates, and locations you're researching
- Have your family tree organized to identify gaps
- Bring pencils (pens typically not allowed with original documents)
- Consider becoming a member for extended access
Remote Research Services
For researchers unable to visit in person, the Society may offer remote lookup services for specific records. Contact the Society to inquire about:
- Specific record searches
- Obituary lookups
- Cemetery record requests
- Document copies
Membership Benefits
Joining the South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society provides:
- Access to the research library during member hours
- Subscription to Where The Trails Cross journal
- Discounted research services and document fees
- Participation in Society programs and workshops
- Networking with other genealogists researching the area
- Supporting preservation of historical records
Volunteer Opportunities
The Society relies on volunteers to maintain and expand its collections:
- Indexing and transcribing records
- Assisting researchers in the library
- Cemetery documentation projects
- Digitizing historical materials
- Contributing records and documentation
Researching South Cook County Families
Immigration & Settlement Patterns
Understanding the region's settlement history helps focus research:
- Dutch immigrants settled Roseland, South Holland, and surrounding areas in the late 1800s
- German immigrants established communities throughout South Cook County
- Polish, Italian, and Eastern European immigrants arrived in waves from 1880s-1920s
- African Americans migrated from the South during the Great Migration (1910s-1960s)
- Suburban development in the 1950s-1970s brought new residents from Chicago
Key Research Resources
When researching South Cook County ancestors, also consult:
- Cook County Clerk's Office for vital records
- Cook County Circuit Court Archives for probate and court records
- Local libraries in specific communities
- Individual township historical societies
- Pullman National Monument archives (for Pullman workers)
Discover Your Family's Neighborhood History
Use the When It Was app to see historical businesses and landmarks in South Cook County communities. Visualize where your ancestors lived, worked, and built their lives.
Explore When It Was →