Chicago historians: I need your help, please!

[TheDebbieDee]

I would like to get more information about African-American Aviator Bessie Coleman and the White Sox Barbershop between 1915 - 1927.

If you have a Chicago Public Library card and/or are registered with the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune and are willing to help I'd be very appreciative.

Thanks.

[mopinko]

1. did you try contacting the white sox?

i betcha someone in their pr dept would be willing to help you out.

i have a couple chicago history books around here. let me see what i can find.
later.

[TheDebbieDee]

2. No, that didn't occur to me.......The guy who founded the

White Sox Barbershop was a trainer for the White Sox, not the owner of the team, so I wouldn't think the White Sox would know anything about it.

I'll follow-up and if I find out anything, I'll post to this thread. Thanks for the idea.

[nemo137]

3. Have you tried going to your local University's library?

Most places have community cards that give you access to their computers, and most librarians would be glad to help you with any research questions you might have.

[TheDebbieDee]

4. Community cards? I've never heard of those.

I tried to register at the Chicago Public Library on-line but I would have needed to somehow provide proof of residency.

Maybe I'll give my local library or a couple of university another try. Thanks for the info.

[nemo137]

5. It might be called something different.

I know that U of I lets community members get cards to use the departmental libraries and request books, I'm not sure if UMKC does, but it would surprise me if they turned you away.

[KharmaTrain]

6. Some Suggestions...

First resource on Chicago history...including Bessie Coleman is the Chicago History Museum:

http://www.chicagohs.org/

For doing online research...try the Encyclopedia of Chicago:

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/

There are lots of great links on this site as well

And...if you're looking for people who can help in research, drop these folks a note:

http://forgottenchicago.com/

Not familiar with the WHite Sox Barbershop...and I'm a White Sox fan...

[mopinko]

7. hubby never heard of the barber shop, either

and he is a second generation sox fan. like a lot of suburban fans, tho, they came to the park and left and went straight home. no side trips around the big bad south side.