1. Information needed to locate a permit
a. Street name
b. Building number
Changes in both street names and building numbers have occurred during
Chicago's history. In 1896 there were major street name
changes in Chicago with many of the duplicate street names eliminated. In
1909 the city underwent a complete address revision
when the intersection of State and Madison became the base point for
numbering. Begin your research by checking for any street
name and building number changes. Address changes may be indicated in the
microfilmed records, but for the most thorough
research it is best to check both the old and the new address.
Note: Pre-1910 building numbers can be converted to the new
numbering system by using an "address changer." A copy of this list
is available at the Documents/Map Information Desk, 3rd floor center.
A record of Chicago street name changes is available at the Social
Science Division, Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago
Public Library (312/747-4600). Some name changes may also be researched
using the resources of the UIC Library's Map Section.
Consult the Map Librarian for assistance.
2. Use the "Ancient Permit File Cards" index
Note: Permits issued between February 21, 1872 and July 20, 1875
are not indexed.
a. Search the street name and number for the building in
the "Ancient Permit File Cards" on microfilm using all possible name and
number variations.
These "File Cards" serve as an index to the permits, but they are not
complete, some permits are known to be missing. Street names
are arranged alphabetically and in approximate building number order. All
numbers, whether "north" or "south" are interfiled in
numerical order. Streets such as South Chicago or South Park (now Martin
Luther King Dr.) are filed with the "S" and not the "C"
or "P" streets.
Note: Numbered streets from 14th to 138th are indexed on "File
Card" reels 123-138. (See Example 1, page 6)
b. Once you locate your building in the "File Cards," copy the
following information if it is listed: Book Number, Page
Number, Permit Number, and Date.
Notes: Permits listed as "sundry" in the "File Cards" are
not listed in the "Permit Ledgers."
Book and page numbers are only given from ca. 1911-1912 to 1954.
Letter prefixes on permit numbers in the "File Cards" have no
discernable significance.
3. Searching for dates from ca. 1872 to ca. 1911-1912
a. Use the Book Number to identify the reel number
needed. (See Reel Guide to Permit Ledgers, page 11)
During this time period there are no Book Numbers given in the
"File Cards." (See Example 2, page 9) Because the geographical
arrangement of these early permits is not consistent you may need to be
creative and try a variety of approaches. What you think to
be North, or South, or Northwest, or Southwest may be different from the
way in which the permits were arranged. For example,
if you choose the reel for North, but are unable to locate your building,
try the next logical area, such as the Northwest.
Note: The boundaries of Hyde Park, Lakeview, etc. are those in
use at the time the permits were issued and are larger than the
Chicago Community Areas that use those names today. (See the map, page
17). For other historical boundary information see the
Map of Chicago Showing Growth of the City by Annexations and
Accretions(G4104 .C6F1 1983 .C6) located in the Map Section.
4. Searching for dates after ca. 1911-1912
a. Use the Book Number to identify the reel number needed. (See
Reel Guide to Permit Ledgers, page 11)
b. If no Book Number is listed:
1) remember that "sundry" permits are not listed in the "Permit
Ledgers,"
2) there may be permits that were not completely indexed,
3) you may try to locate the permit by following the instructions in
step 3 above. [This is practical through ca. 1939; after that date
permits were no longer divided by location and were interfiled citywide.
See the Reel Guide to Permit Ledgers for details.]
5. Use the "Permit Ledgers" on microfilm
a. Retrieve the Reel identified in the steps above.
b. If a Page Number was identified, go directly to that page.
Note: Many of the "Permit Ledger" Reels contain more than one
ledger book. For example, both Book 15 and Book 16 are on
Reel 24. Be sure you are looking in the correct Book number.
For further assistance please consult a Librarian at the
Documents/Map Information Desk.
