Getting Started - Neighborhood, Time Period, & Country of Origin Basics - Global Studies - Neighborhood Research

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Step 1: Identify the Community Area You are Researching

Tip: There is a difference between neighborhoods and community areas in Chicago. Community areas often contain several neighborhoods.

Community Areas vs. Neighborhoods
Read the distinction between community areas and neighborhoods in Chicago. If you know which neighborhood you live in (e.g. Andersonville), find on this page what community your neighborhood is in (e.g. Edgewater).
Chicago Community Boundaries
If you do not know the name of the neighborhood you live in, use the map at the link above to identify your community area. Click the portion of the map near your address and a pop-up will tell you your community area.
Chicago's Neighborhoods - Chicago Studies - University of Chicago
Explore where to eat, shop, and go in the City of Neighborhoods!

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Step 2: Read about your Community Area

Tip: This background reading will provide numerous routes you can take to narrowing your research, whether it's toward immigration, architecture, policing, etc. Pay attention to what interests you.

The Chicago 77 by Mary Zangs
Call Number: 977.3 ZAN

Encyclopedia of Chicago
This online encyclopedia contains articles on each of Chicago's 77 community areas. Use the search bar to find your community. Be sure to look at the "See Also" box at the top for further search suggestions.

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Step 3: Begin Basic Background Research on the Country of Origin and Time Period

Tip: Use Encyclopedia Britannica for country of origin research and the American Decade eBook series for time period research. Look out for any keyword(s) and phrases that might help you with your research as you read.

Encyclopedia Britannica
Our old friend Encyclopedia Britannica is a great place to go to learn more about the country of origin for your neighborhood's immigrant community. To begin to understand push factors, target your reading in this source to the time period specific to when folks were leaving and headed to Chicago.
American Decades (series)
Browse this collection of eBooks that provide overviews of the U.S during specific decades. In the "Table of Contents" tab, select the desired decade from the drop down menu. Perform a keyword search in the box in the upper right or browse the decade by subject on your desired decade's "Table of Contents" page.
Chicago: Decades of Immigrants - American Experience - PBS
Peruse this brief article outlining the various immigrant groups that chose to make Chicago their new home. Look out for keywords and phrases you can use to deepen your research into push factors for your chosen group.

Global Studies - Neighborhood Research: Getting Started - Neighborhood, Time Period, & Country of Origin Basics

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