Cannot find record of my Grandfather's birth in Chicago, IL in Jan. 1903

Question

George Samuel Weymer

I have Baptismal, Census, Marriage, WWI Draft Card and Death records but I am finishing my D.A.R. registration and need his legal birth record. I've tried every name variation I can think of as well as with and without parents. Your help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Have you requested a copy from Cook County?  I requested a death record for my great-grandmother that I couldn't find in the index, but they found it and sent me a copy.  Turns out the name was badly mangled in the index.

Also, are you sure he was actually born in Chicago?  Is it possible he was born elsewhere and moved to Chicago at a young age?  

Do you have a copy of his social security application?  That would have a birth location, and should match the birth record he used to apply for a SS number.

Comments

I requested a Birth Record from Cook County: https://mediasvc.ancestry.com/v2/image/namespaces/1093/media/af629460-859e-4a0a-9b5d-f6644afd4f4f.jpg?client=trees-mediaservice&imageQuality=hq&maxWidth=1348.6000292301178&maxHeight=567.6000123023987

I also have 1900 and 1910 census records that show George and his parents lived in Cook County, Illinois. The Social Security information I found shows his residence in Illinois. I haven't been able to contact Illinois govn. offices-they are closed until the first week of August.

Thank you for all your great tips!

Answer 2

IRAD at NEIU has Cook County birth records and index for 1871-1915. Write or call and ask if they can find it for you. Copies are only $1 for up to 4 pages.

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/IRAD/iradregn.html

If they can't find it, there is a possibility that it is filed as a delayed birth record, and it's possible that was filed in the county where he was living at the time rather than the county where he was born. You might be able to get a copy of his social security application to see what he used was evidence of birth!