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Other databases and indexes
Ancestry Library Edition The Archives subscribes to another large database, Ancestry Library Edition. With over 1.2 billion records in over 3,000 databases, Ancestry Library Edition is the most comprehensive online source of information available for conducting genealogical and local history research. Included in Ancestry Library Edition are the digitized images of the U.S. Federal Censuses from 1790 forward, the American Genealogical Biographical Index, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, and much more. Heritage Quest This online database contains over 25,000 books, including family and local histories, the entire U.S. Federal Census through 1930, and PERSI, an index to over 1.9 million genealogical and historical articles, and other expanding collections. The News-Gazette The News Gazette (6/1/1997-Current) offers a full-text, searchable electronic edition. This database is now accessible both here in the library and from your home. Chicago Tribune (1849-1985) The Chicago Tribune (1849-1985) offers full page and article images with searchable full text back to the first issue. The collection includes digital reproductions providing access to every page from every available issue. Soundex Indexes to the U.S. census A “Soundex” index lists names by “sound” rather than in strictly alphabetical order. Although this may seem awkward at first, it helps a great deal when names have variant spellings. The Archives has Soundex indexes for the state of Illinois for 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920. The 1930 census does not have a Soundex index. Because censuses are so basic to genealogical research, the Archives has all the Federal population censuses for the state of Illinois on microfilm. In addition, we have published census transcriptions for many Illinois counties, and there are published census indexes for the states from where our Illinois ancestors came. Surname Card Index When you visit the Archives of The Urbana Free Library, one of the first things you should do is check the surname index. Although the bulk of this index has been dissolved and transferred to our Local History Online database, the current index still provides information on persons who lived in Champaign County. The approximately 300,000 cards that remain in the index file are derived from the following records: A. Marriage license applications from 1878 through 1975. The index contains entries for all names that appear on the original applications. All the names on each application appear in the index on the groom's card, while the other cards make cross-references to the groom's card. The Archives has the original marriage license applications from 1878 through 1975, complete except for a gap in the 1880s. It also has licenses from 1833 through 1915 on microfilm, including those missing from the collection of original applications. Request the microfilm and the applications from the staff. To obtain a copy of the original marriage license. it is necessary to go to the Champaign County Clerk's office. Parental information begins in 1878 on the marriage register and in 1883 on marriage licenses. B. Funeral home records from several local establishments, including Renner, Owens, and Mittendorf, are indexed by the name of the deceased. Each card includes date of death, date of burial, and the name of the funeral home. Some cards also include the birth date, names of parents, name of spouse, and place of burial. In addition to the cards in the Surname Index, there are records for the years 1887 to 1917 for the Renner Funeral Home and its predecessor, A. B. Shuck, in the bookstacks under A ILLINOIS (Champ) FUN. Owens Funeral Home records also are on microfilm under A MICROFILM ILLINOIS (Champ) Owe. Heath Funeral Home records are indexed and in the bookstacks under A ILLINOIS (Champ) HEA. Please ask the staff to see a copy of the original record. C. Miscellaneous Records file from 1831 through 1972 is indexed by the names of those primarily listed in the documents. The file includes military, family, and legal documents, such as oaths, justice of the peace certificates, articles of agreement, and attorney certificates. Please request these records by the folder number. D. Certificates of Moral Character from 1889 through 1936 are indexed by the name of the recipient. Certificates, issued to attorneys before taking the Bar Exam, include the name of the recipient, issuing judge, and testifying lawyer. Please request this single volume from the staff. E. Jury Certificates from Champaign County Coroner's office from 1896 through 1918 are indexed and alphabetically arranged by name of the deceased. They include name of juror, name of coroner, amount paid for duty (to juror), and date of issuance. Please request records from the staff. F. Masonic Degree records for Centennial Lodge No. 747, Philo, Illinois, include "Petition For Degrees" for scattered years, primarily 1930-1960. The records are indexed by the name of the petitioner and are in remote storage (Box #27). Please request from the staff. G. Chattel Mortgage Docket Book No. 1 is indexed by name and covers the years 1908-1925. Please ask the staff for this single volume. Urbana Daily Courier Published from 1897 through March 1979 under a succession of titles, the Urbana Daily Courier provides rich documentation of the development of commerce and industry, the course of local and regional politics, and the history of cultural and social life in our community, as well as the local experience of global events.
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14-digit UFL bar
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367-4405 for UFL authorization code & password
In UFL only | 
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