This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/1cW.2ACIB/1089.1 Message Board Post: I do not know how far back Chicago would keep old phone books but maybe that is an idea, and old newspapers with ads for businesses . Can't remember just when the firstphones came into being but there must be someway to trace old buisnesses. Good luck and happy hunting.