Hi Lorry, I have a copy of what seems to be the most comprehensive (and heavy...) paperback book in the world called "Chicago & Cook County, A Guide to Research" by Loretto Dennis Szucs. From page 485 to 490 it talks about death records. To extract a few details: p. 485 "Death records are available in Cook County from 1871...the records are often found by locating the date in indexes... If an exact death date is known, a copy of a death certificate is the best starting point... "Chicago Deaths 1871-1933" is an index which makes it possible to find death dates for a large percentage of Chicagoans who died within that time period... [I recognize I'm not being too helpful at this point as your Homer was alive at this time; however, it might be useful info. for you later, with other people, I don't know.] "Death Certificates" "A typical death certificate from Chicago or Cook County (both are issued from the Cook County Bureau of Vital Statistics) from the 1870s will provide: the full name, age, sex, marital status, occupation, date and hour of death, [p. 486] cause, and the duration of any disease which caused the death. Other information requested on the standard forms were: the street address and the ward; nationality and place of birth; and length of residence in the state. The place and date of burial and the name and address of the undertaker are other valuable items noted... Not until 1910 were the names and birthplaces of the deceased's parents included on death certificates. "Microfilmed Death Records "The Genealogical Society of Utah has microfilmed the following death records: "Cook County (Illinois). County Clerk. "Chicago death certificates," 1878-1915" (655 microfilm reels).... "Cook County (Illinois). County Clerk. "Death record indexes, 1871-1916" (on 70 microfiches)... "Cook County (Illinois). County Coroner. "Coroner's death records, 1879-1904.... [p. 488] "Chicago (Illinois). Board of Health. "Chicago Deaths 1871-1933" (13 microfilm reels).... [p. 489] "When checking the microfilmed death records, check also the Social Security Death Benefit Records index. Published on CD-ROM by Automated Archives, Inc., [and also available for free at the FHL website] this index contains approximately 50 million names of individuals to whom a lump sum payment was made by the Social Security Administration. Although the records are from 1937-1993, many of the people listed were born in the late 1800s or early 1900s... [p. 490] "Mortality Schedules "Mortality schedules (see section 7) list deaths for the twelve months prior to the federal census. "Alternative Sources of Vital Records "Chicago Board of Health "The Chicago Board of Health, located in the lower level of the Daley Center, maintains vital statistics for Chicago only... "Cook County Suburban Cities and Towns "...outside of Chicago also maintain their respective sets of vital statistics, however, they are for relatively recent years. "State of Illinois "State of Illinois Office of Vital Records Illinois Department of Public Health Springfield, IL 62761 "Chicago Genealogical Society "The records of over 10,000 individuals who were residents of Chicago were contributed by more than 1,250 of their descendants, and compiled and indexed by the Chicago Genealogical Society. The society published the collection in 1985 as the "Chicago Ancestor File: 1974-84."... The 381-page volume can be purchased from: [p. 492] "The Chicago Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1160 Chicago, IL 60690-1160 "Data collected since the publication of "Chicago Ancestor File 1974-1984" is being printed in the Chicago Genealogical Society quarterly publication, "The Chicago Genealogist." "The society has also published vital statistics which appeared in Chicago newspapers. These are in seven volumes covering the years 1833 to 1848. The information in each of the books (sold separately) includes marriage and death information. This makes it possible to recreate the records destroyed by the 1871 Chicago Fire. All volumes are indexed. Volume 1 (1833-39); Volume 2 (1840-42); Volume 3 (1843-44); Volume 4 (1845); Volume 5 (1846); Volume 6 (1847); Volume 7 (1848). "Death Notices from Lithuanian Newspapers, 1900-1979".... "Index to Irish Names from Chicago Newspapers".... [p. 494] "Index to Polish Obituaries and Death Notices".... "Index to The Chicago Record Herald Daily and Sunday (1904 1912)".... "Chicago Daily Democratic Press Index--1855".... "Who's Who Publications".... [p. 496] "Church Vital Statistics..." "Coroner's Inquest Records".... [which goes on for awhile, too] [p. 498] "Cemetery Records".... "Funeral Director's Records".... [through p. 499] Good luck! --Carol (Huffington > Carlisle > Bowen > Truitt > Barnes) Menges ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lorry Dunning" <histcon@juno.com> To: <BARNES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 6:52 PM Subject: Barnes Family > Good Day Barnes Listers; > > Need help or advice for locating Death Vitals for Chicago, IL > > For; > Homer R. Barnes; age 37 in 1930 census > Wife; Elizabeth ( ??? ) Barnes; 35 in 1930 census > > Also marriage information for; > > Ruth B. Barnes; age 9 in 1930 Census > Robert Barnes; age 7 in 1930 > Dorothy Barnes age 1 in 1930 > > Thanks for your assistance > > Lorry > > Histcon@juno.com >