When Chicago as a city was incorporated in 1837, families from all over the world began arriving,

looking for new opportunities and, well, a new life.

As Chicago became a hub for railroads and industry, families like the Palmers, the Fields, the Armors, the McCormick's,

all started building their fortunes.

We see their names everywhere, on buildings, streets, and schools,

and they did help shape this city.

But one curious city listener wanted to dig deeper than those big names.

And for good reason, his family is older than a lot of them.

Hey, curious Chicagoans.

My name is Christopher Pitson, and my family's been in Chicago for over 150 years, which may be wonder, does anyone know what family's been living in Chicago the longest? Thanks.

I'm producer Anna Mason, and when I heard Christopher's question, it made me think about the countless other families present in Chicago at the same time as those famous wealthy ones.

These everyday families were living their lives and building the city in their own way.

I met two such families. The Atkinsons.

I am presenting my family, which is the Atkinson family, as a fourth generation Negro

Chicagoan today.

And the Bernstein's.

On one particular line on my dad's side, uninterrupted on the Southeast side since August 1888,

which makes me a fifth generation Southeast sider and my daughter Avniel, a sixth generation

Southeast Sider. It's not an exaggeration to say that these families had an impact on the evolution of this city,

and that the stories they've passed down from generation to generation tell us so much about our shared history.

That's next.

If you're already a WBEZ member, thank you.

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