The Champaign County Historical Archives will be at the Urbana Free Library's table at the Market at the Square on the third Saturday of each month, beginning tomorrow (June 21). Stop by to view historical documents and artifacts, grab a brochure, and take a look at some of the books that feature a variety of items from our collection. We hope to see you there! Read more about Join the Archives for the Market at the Square!

PERSI, or the Periodical Source Index is the largest host of genealogical journals worldwide. Home to over 11,000 journals, many no longer in print, PERSI is a hidden gem for researchers and genealogist alike. Indexed are roughly 2.3 million articles concerning local history and genealogy spanning from 1800 to 2009.

Easily searchable, PERSI is extremely user friendly with multiple subject heading for simple website navigation.

·         Under the PEOPLE heading, users can search for ancestor names across the 2.3 million articles Read more about Have you ever heard of PERSI?

What: Oral History of Champaign-Urbana Days

When: April 21, 2014, 4 - 6 p.m.

Where: Douglass Annex, 804 North Fifth St., Champaign, IL 61820

Who: You!

Why: Learn about the history of the community and do your part to build a more inclusive local history!!

How: Show up and get involved. Spread the word.  Read more about Oral History of Champaign-Urbana Days

Traditionally, football is an autumnal sport where two teams face off as the leaves fall. Yet, collegiate athletes continue to train year round and even match up for special games. The Fighting Illini are no different and this weekend will bring the football players front and center, reminding us in the Archives of Illinois’ proud football legacy. Read more about Spring usually brings thoughts of sunshine, flowers, picnic, baseball, but what about football?

One hundred and two years ago, in April 1912, Theodore Roosevelt popped by for a vist. He spoke to a large crowd in Westside Park in Champaign as part of his primary campaign for President that year.

Read more about Teddy Roosevelt Visits CU

On frigid days like this we have to remind ourselves that summer will be here soon! Thinking of summer always reminds me of sweet, frozen treats. The photo above was taken in the 1920’s when Champaign was home to the Champaign Ice Cream Co. As you can see, Champaign Ice Cream Co. advertised ice cream as “the health food.” From 1913-1929 residents could satisfy their appetites for sweet summer treats and also tour the creamery.  Read more about Ice Cream: The Health Food?

Search newly released Irish collections to uncover details about your Irish heritage and find out how it all fits into your unique family story. Read more about Discover the Irish in You - FREE at Ancestry.com

This photograph of the Boardwalk on the University of Illinois Quad seems fairly straight forward, an idyllic scene of campus on a sunny day. However, if you look very closely on the left hand side of the photo there seems to a faint outline of a person walking. Is it a trick of the light, a misprint of the negative, or perhaps something more ghostly in nature?  Read more about Is There Something Hiding In This Photograph?

Campus Middle School for Girls, conducting research at the Archives for their final project in conjunction with the school's 2014 Forum Week program.  

Read more about Campus Middle School for Girls -- Research at the Archives