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MOST popular jump local items Cool coffee shops Chicago may have a Starbucks on every corner, but it lays claim to something even more exciting: a robust community of local coffeehouses. Rooftop dining Here's a sampling of Chicago's best rooftop gardens and patios. But be warned: Like summer in the Midwest, they're only here for a limited time. Fashion's best blogs From snarky takes on silly trends (metallic leggings, anyone?) to tips on how to recreate your favorite star's hot outfit for less, these blogs rule when it comes to fashion. Go for a bike ride From five-mile loops to a 61-mile long haul, there's sure to be a ride that's right for you among these 10 bike trails. Cubs bars It's the ultimate weekend of bragging rights. If you're a Cubs fan, rest easy that you'll be with friends watching the games at any of these bars.

Trace your family tree
September 22, 2007
Whether you harbor a secret hope that you're related to Marie Antoinette or wanted to dig deeper into your Chicago roots, these sites will point you in the right direction. From a quick and easy name search of the records at Ellis Island to a sophisticated DNA comparison, there are plenty of ways to start your genealogical search.
Newberry Library Chicago Geneology
http://www.newberry.org
If you have local roots, start your search at the Newberry. This research library has microfiche and microfilm indexes of vital records and census statistics and a wide array of online search indexes. Looking for Polish marriage records before 1915? Want to research the history of your property? You can do it all with the click of a mouse. For records not available online, the library's website provides complete instructions on how to locate the proper archives.

Finding Your Chicago Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide to Family History in the City and Cook County
https://www.lakeclaremont.com
For family tree newbies, this book is a great starting point if you're looking to trace your historical Chicago connections. Author Grace DuMelle teaches you how to begin your research and how to access specific resources, while providing examples of official documents for you to use for comparison. DuMelle knows her stuff: The book's many tips include sources for firefighter forebears, what to do if you can't find your ancestor's marriage in Cook County, and the three towns that were "mini-Renos" for divorce filings.

Ellis Island
http://www.ellisisland.org
Were your ancestors immigrants who came to America through Ellis Island? Enter their names in this handy passenger database and find out their home cities, the year they arrived in the United States and what age they were when they came. You can also register to view the passenger record and an image of the immigrants' ship. If you're not sure if your ancestors traveled through Ellis Island or not, simply type in your last name and get a list of all of the registered immigrants who share the same name.

Tribal Pages
http://tribalpages.com
Do you know some of your ancestry but need a place that lets you organize all that minute details and allows your other family members to give their own input? At Tribal Pages, you can add names and photos and place notes with each member of the family tree. Change settings to allow other family members to log in to your charts, making for an interactive and continuously updated resource. Some charts are available for print out in poster size for your own personal use.

Ancestry.com
http://www.ancestry.com
Utilizing what it claims is the largest online collection of historical records, Ancestry.com does the dirty work for you. Simply type in some facts about yourself and your relatives, and the website automatically begins searching for information about each person, and arranges that info into a traditional family tree flow chart. While premium features are available for a fee, you can try Ancestry.com for free for 14 days.

Famous Roots
http://www.famousroots.com
If you're sure your ancestry is rich with fame, prove it by typing your name into this database to find out which celebrities share similar names. The search tool isn't comprehensive, so try just typing in your last name to get the most results. And if it doesn't come up with any results, don't abandon your celebrity dreams just yet; the database is always being updated with new information.

Adoption.com
http://reunion.adoption.com
Family trees can be tricky for adoptees, as the tree they were adopted into contains genealogical data about people they aren't related to by blood. Adoption.com gives children of adoption info on how to use adoption and hospital records to trace their genealogical history. The site prides itself on helping birth parents and adoptees reunite, but its value certainly extends to those not interested in meeting their birth parents.

DNA Ancestry Project
http://www.dnaancestryproject.com
Stacks of vital records can help you link together pieces of your past, but a DNA test is foolproof. The much-talked-about DNA Ancestry Project allows you to trace your paternal or maternal lineage by simply sending in a cheek swab and letting the experts test it in a lab; you can view the results online. There have been participants from all over the world, helping the project's founders understand how different populations have branched and spread around the globe. A participation kit costs $119 to $318.