Chicago Death Certificates, 1916-1947
About these records
Chicago death certificates for 1916-1945 and for 1946-1947
are arranged by certificate number within each year on 458 microfilms and 84
microfilms respectively, all of which can be requested through any Family
History Center. To see a blank certificate form, visit this page.
Indexing
These certificates are indexed in the Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916-1950.
Format
458
microfilms and 84 microfilms
Arrangement
Numerically by certificate number
Search
Tips
not
alpha or chron numbered in order returned may ned to look hard if don't have
number
FHL
Catalog
Certificates are also available through the Illinois
State Archives in Springfield or through the Cook County Clerk's Office.
Finding the right film
To determine which microfilm a certificate would appear on, you'll need the year of death and the certificate number, both available online in the Illinois
Statewide Death Index, 1916-1950.
1) First drop off the "6" to find the correct certificate number. In the example below, the certificate number is "7978."
2) Next, find the correct year in the films listed in the Family History Center Catalog and then locate the correct certificate number span. In this example, Alexander's death certificate number falls between certificate numbers 7,501 and 10,000 and it would appear on film #185260.
Information that may
be included on a post-1915 death certificate
(if the informant didn't provide the
information, it won't be filled in)
Place where death occurred (street address or name of institution) Length of residence in city where death occurred How long in U.S. if of foreign birth Name and residence of deceased (includes city ward) Sex Color or race Marital status Name of spouse, if married, widowed or divorced Date of birth Age in years, months, days Trade, profession of kind of work done Industry or business in which work was done Date deceased last worked Total time in occupation Birthplace (city or town and state or country) Name and birthplace of father Name and birthplace of mother Informant's name and address Date and place of burial (cemetery name, location, county, and state) Name and address of undertaker Date of death Cause of death When the physician last saw the patient alive Whether or not an operation was performed, and if so, for what disease Whether or not there was an autopsy If a communicable disease, where contracted Whether the disease was related to the deseased's occupation Name and address of physician