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. Read more about Erma Bridgewater 1913-2013

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) Read more about Research Nights at the Archives – Now enhanced with special topics!

Here's hoping that the recent snow only got a corner of your blankets wet!

Article from the Champaign Daily News, March 26, 1913 Read more about Weather-100 Years Ago Today

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: Read more about HeritageQuest Online - Focus on Archives Resources

  Read more about Farewell, Carolyn!

Please join us Wednesday, February 27, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. as we welcome University of Illinois Assistant Professor Kevin Hamilton for a discussion of his new comic book A Place in Time: Two Paths to a Television Broadcast. The book explores the paths taken to a broadcast of "Public Broadcasting Lab" that took place at the Illini Union in 1968. Read more about Book Launch Event - A Place in Time: Two Paths to a Television Program

Read more about eBlack Champaign-Urbana

Very nice article about researching African-American genealogy in today's Chicago Tribune. 

"Because of racism, prejudice, discrimination, black people have been left out of history, their stories and accomplishments not told," Burroughs said. "African-Americans have a hot, fervent need to find out who their ancestors were. It's part of humanity to find out."

Read the entire article here.

  Read more about African-American Genealogy article

Abraham Lincoln, ca. 1858.  Read more about Happy 204th Birthday, Abraham Lincoln!

For the month of February to commemorate Black History Month, we here at the Champaign County Historical Archives will use this space to highlight the history and contributions of the African-American community of Champaign County.

One of the resources available to us is our Photo Atlas application. It allows us to place historical images in their geo-spacial context on the map. Additionally, audio-visual content can be attached to the description as well. Read more about Historically Black Champaign-Urbana