Evanston Genealogy Record Search
Evanston genealogy records offer researchers a useful mix of local and county resources in the north shore of Cook County. With a population near 78,000, Evanston is one of the few Illinois cities where the city clerk acts as a local registrar for vital records. That means you can get birth and death records for events that took place in Evanston right at city hall. Cook County also holds records for the city. The Evanston Public Library adds newspaper archives and database access that round out your family history search in this part of the state.
Evanston Genealogy Quick Facts
Evanston City Clerk Vital Records
The Evanston City Clerk serves as a local registrar. That is uncommon in Illinois. The office is at 909 Davis St., 2nd Floor, Evanston. Call (847) 448-8189 to ask about records. The clerk can provide birth and death records for events that happened in Evanston. There is a $20 shipping fee if you need records mailed to you.
There is one gap to know about. Records from November 2018 through October 2021 must be obtained from Cook County, not from the Evanston City Clerk. During that period, the city clerk did not have registration duties for those files. If the record you need falls in that window, go straight to the Cook County Clerk. For all other dates, the Evanston office can help.
Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), genealogical copies of birth records are available when the birth date is 75 or more years ago. Death records open up after 20 years. These copies are uncertified and stamped for genealogical use only. The rules are the same whether you go to the city clerk or the county.
Having a local registrar in Evanston is an advantage for genealogy. The city office may have records that are harder to find at the county level, and the staff tends to be more familiar with local files. Try the Evanston office first if your ancestor lived here.
Cook County Records for Evanston
The Cook County Clerk Bureau of Vital Records is the backup source for all Evanston genealogy records. Their office is at 118 N. Clark St., Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602. Call (312) 603-5656. Cook County birth and death records start from 1871 and 1872. Marriage records are also kept there.
The IDPH provides statewide vital records information. The IDPH birth certificate ordering page shows the forms and instructions for requesting records from the state.
Fees at Cook County are $15 for the first birth or marriage copy and $4 for each extra. Death records cost $17 first and $6 each after. Mail requests take about 20 business days. For Evanston records from November 2018 to October 2021, Cook County is the only local option. You can also order through VitalChek for certified copies, but genealogical copies cannot be ordered online anywhere in Illinois.
Note: Deaths in suburban Cook County from 1910 to 1915 are missing from county records, so check IDPH for Evanston deaths in those years.
Evanston Public Library Genealogy
The Evanston Public Library has genealogy resources that go well beyond the basics. Their historical newspaper collection covers Evanston papers from 1872 through 2009. That is over 130 years of local news. Obituaries, marriage announcements, business ads, and community notes in these papers can fill in details that vital records do not capture. If your ancestor ran a shop in Evanston or was active in a local church, the newspapers may mention them.
The library also provides free in-library access to Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest, and the Chicago Tribune historical archive. The Chicago Tribune goes back to the 1840s and covers Evanston news in its suburban sections. Combining Evanston newspaper searches with the Tribune can give you a much wider view of what was happening in your ancestor's life. HeritageQuest is a good tool for census searches and can be used remotely with an Evanston library card.
For researchers who cannot visit in person, HeritageQuest remote access is a strong option. You can search census records, local histories, and some vital record indexes from home. Ask the library about setting up remote access with your card. The Chicago Public Library genealogy page is another resource for Cook County researchers, with even more databases available at no cost.
Archives and Historical Records
The IRAD depository for Cook County is at Northeastern Illinois University, Ronald Williams Library, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago, IL 60625. Call (773) 442-4506 for hours. This is where historical local government records for Evanston and all of Cook County are preserved. The holdings include older vital records, land deeds, probate files, naturalization records, and court documents. Research is free in person.
The Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) gives IRAD the legal authority to preserve these records for long-term use. You can submit up to two names per mail or phone request if you cannot visit. The Illinois State Archives has free online databases as well. The Statewide Marriage Index from 1763 to 1900 and the Statewide Death Index from 1916 to 1950 are both searchable and may turn up Evanston records.
The Cook County court portal lets you search naturalization records from 1871 to 1929 and other court files. If your ancestor became a citizen in Cook County, the naturalization petition can reveal their country of origin, arrival date, and physical description. Evanston has long been home to Northwestern University, and many early residents were connected to the school or its community.
Searching Evanston Genealogy Records
Evanston genealogy searches work best when you know which office to try first. For births and deaths, start at the Evanston City Clerk. The $20 shipping fee is worth it for the convenience. If the record falls between November 2018 and October 2021, go to Cook County instead. Marriage records are only at the county level.
After vital records, move to the library. The newspaper archive from 1872 to 2009 is a treasure. Search for your family name and see what comes up. You may find obituaries with details about parents, siblings, and places of origin that no other record has. Cross-check what you find with census data on Ancestry or HeritageQuest, both free at the library.
The IDPH genealogy page covers how to request statewide records by mail. These cost $10 each and take about 12 weeks. For Evanston records specifically, the city clerk and Cook County are usually faster. Use IDPH as a last resort or when you need records from other parts of Illinois to round out your Evanston family research.
Cook County Genealogy Records
Evanston is in Cook County. While the city clerk handles some vital records locally, Cook County is the main keeper of birth, death, marriage, land, and court records for the area. For full details on Cook County genealogy resources, fees, and contact info, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Evanston also have genealogy resources and are served by Cook County or neighboring county clerks.