Try-It Illinois
It's that time of year again!
For the next two months, October 1-November 30, 2013, Try-It! Illinois offers library staff and users of the more than 5,000 ILLINET member libraries the opportunity to survey and evaluate a wide variety of electronic resources. Thanks to the partnerships between the Illinois State Library and the participating electronic resource vendors, there is no charge for accessing these databases during Try-It! Illinois.
Ellis Island, Castle Garden, Customs, and the Old Barge
We all learned as school children how our immigrant ancestors came to America through Ellis Island. The real story about where and when immigrants entered the United States is much more complicated than the story we grew up with. Ellis Island was a New York gateway for the arrival of U.S. immigrants from roughly 1892 to 1924. Although it was by far the largest port of entry and millions arrived during that time, it was one of many ways to enter the United States.
Urbana Schools Photograph Set on Flickr
The "Urbana Schools, Past and Present" photograph set on the Urbana Free Library Digital Collections Flickr account allows patrons to view a visual history of the schools in the city of Urbana. This set can be accessed at the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/98945443@N05/sets/72157634670405336/.
Looking for help with your genealogical research?
Looking for help with your genealogical research? Try these useful podcasts & webinars. PODCASTShttp://www.genealogyguys.com/ The Genealogy Guys - George Morgan and Drew Smith - news
"I wish you were here if only for a short time."
Yesterday marked the 150th anniversary of the surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi to the Union armies commanded by Ulysses S. Grant during the American Civil War. It was a seminal moment: the Confederacy was now split in two and commerce could once again flow from the farms of the Midwest down the Mississippi River virtually unimpeded.
Recently Processed Collections
Two collections have recently been processed and are now fully accessible at the Champaign County Historical Archives of The Urbana Free Library.
The Champaign Urbana Woman’s Club
Alien Visitors ... to Urbana?
A sharped eyed staff member spied this image from our collections:
Apparently, sightings of unexplained phenomena and Unidentified Flying Objects are not uncommon here, as this June 6, 1969 article from the front page of the Urbana Courier relates.
Riding the Rails to a New Life: The Orphan Trains
By the middle of the nineteenth century, New York City was teaming with new immigrants, with more coming every day. These new families often found themselves in dire circumstances, surrounded by poverty and disease. As a result, many children ended up without parents, orphaned and left wandering the streets. The plight of these children did not go unnoticed, and soon several orphanages and aid societies developed to assist them.
And You Thought Your Spring Cleaning was Tough!
CLEAN UP.A person cannot help
Roger Ebert, Legendary film critic and Urbana native, dies at 70.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Urbana native, and esteemed film critic, Roger Ebert.
Roger Joseph Ebert, was born on June 18, 1942, in Urbana, Ill. He attended Urbana High School and the University of Illinois.
Erma Bridgewater 1913-2013
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Mrs. Erma Bridgewater.
Services to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Bethel A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Larry Lewis officiating. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the church.
Research Nights at the Archives – Now enhanced with special topics!
Beginning in April, our monthly Research Nights will frequently feature discussions and demonstrations on special topics.
Research Nights are open to the public. There is no charge or registration required. We look forward to seeing you!
April 10, 2013 - SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSI (Periodical Source Index)
Weather-100 Years Ago Today
Here's hoping that the recent snow only got a corner of your blankets wet!
HeritageQuest Online - Focus on Archives Resources
Many researchers that visit us are familiar with research resources such as Ancestry.com. Today I'd like to focus on one that doesn't get quite as much recognition: HeritageQuest Online. HeritageQuest Online is a collection of databases, all of which are very useful to history and genealogical researchers. Included under its umbrella are: