SUMMER(S) - Chicago

[Barbara Eyre]

Hi there,

I'm so used to doing genealogy research for England and Ireland, but I'm pretty rusty on how to do US research LOL.

Long story short - my Mom (living, b. 1942) was adopted. She doesn't know much about her biological family. She has sent me very old copies of court summons papers and some short handwritten notes that her mom wrote in relation to my mom's adoption to another couple. (My mom's mom gave her up basically).

So, I am trying to find out my maternal family line.

I know the genealogy research should keep me in Chicago city for at least a few generations backwards from my maternal grandmother - Mary Summer(s)

Mom's mom was named: Mary Summer or Summers.
Handwritten notes by Mary show Summers ... but court records show Summer.

Going by my father's parent's birth years, I'm going to assume she was born sometime between 1910 and 1920.

Mom's dad may or may not have been John Dwyer. Mom was always given conflicting information on who her Dad was.

In Dec 1945, Mary Summer(s) lived at 1713 W. Warren Blvd, Chicago, IL
In April 1947, the address was: 2150 Flournoy St, Chicago

What's weird is that there is a handwritten note dated Nov 7, 1945 where Mary Summers says "now -> Stella Lenard" ... she changed her name?

Anyways, I know that is precious little to go on, but if someone has somehow come up with census records or anything else that pertains to Mary Summers that will help me work backwards, I would be grateful.

Mom knows she has biological brothers and sisters, but have never been in contact with them. While Mom is not interested in knowing her biological genealogy, she has given me her full blessing to do the research since she knows I want as complete a genealogy tree as possible ... as my Dad's side is fairly well researched (with a lot of great help from folks here at RootsChat!).

[Erato]

There are some Chicago records at FamilySearch, including births from 1878-1922:

http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start

[Barbara Eyre]

Thanks. I've already been that route.
I have a few possible hits, but since I have no clue what to do with those findings since I don't have access to whatever database they use for film #, digital #, images #, and ref# ... *shrugs*
And if they don't mentioned much more than what is shown on the site, then I still am where I started.

Perhaps some has access to Chicago census for 1930? I know it's a long shot.

[Erato]

In Chicago in 1930, there are three Mary Summerses [no Summers] who were born between 1905 and 1925.

1.  Mary Summers, b. 1907, daughter of Charles and Margaret; Charles was an engineer, pile driver; there was another daughter, Margaret; all b. Illinois

2.  Mary Jane Summers, b. 1916, daughter of Porter W. and Catherine; Porter was a medical doctor; there was also a son James and a daughter, Margaret;  all b. Illinois

3.  Mary Summers, b. 1919, daughter of Allen and Minerra [=Minerva?]; Allen was an agent, theatrical?;  there was also a son John;  Allen was born in Canada, the rest in Illinois

[Barbara Eyre]

Thanks, Erato ... I'll see what I can do with the above. 

[shellyesq]

The film that they refer to are microfilms held by the Family History Library.  If you live near a Family History Center, you can order the microfilm for viewing for a small fee.  There is also an option of ordering the certificate for a fee through the LDS Church using this form:  http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/RG/images/FReqMicrofilm.pdf  The most expensive option appears to be ordering directly from Cook Co. at www.cookcountygenealogy.com.

[Erato]

As regards the “Allen Summers” mentioned above, his full name seems to have been Daniel Allen Summers.  He called himself a self employed booking agent actor on his WW1 draft registration [1918].  His wife was Minerva L. Summers.  He was born on Prince Edward Island, Canada, 27 Oct 1885.  By the time of his WW2 draft registration [1942], his occupation was “recreation leader W.P.A.” and he lived at 515 S. Franklin St., Chicago.  He died March 1967 in Illinois.

[Barbara Eyre]

Thank you both for your help.
Not only for the Allen Summers information but also explaining about the Family Centers. We have one about 20 miles away, but they operate such few hours each week that it's difficult to get to them.

Have loads of research ahead of me to validate if this Mary Summers is the same as Mom's mom.

It's unfortunate that Mom's birth certificate does not mention the father's name, nor gives Mary's middle name.

I guess my next step is to try and get Mary's marriage certificate and see if her parents are listed.

Thanks so much. I appreciate your time! 

[Barbara Eyre]

Oh geez, back to the drawing board!

Just got off the phone with Mom ...

SUMMERS was her Married name, not her maiden!
Mom doesn't know her maiden name. UGH! 

Mom did tell me that Grandpa Summers died in 1946-1947.

This is going to be a rough one!