Cemetery Haunts

Genealogists and local history buffs aren't the only ones who appreciate a good cemetery.

 

These lovely creatures were captured by our own resident cemetery aficionado, Karla.

If you don't mind spending an afternoon in a cemetery you may be interested in our upcoming workshop: Basic Cemetery Restoration. John Heider, a professional gravestone conservator, will offer a hands on class on how to properly care for Illinois cemeteries and their historic grave markers on June 4th. The class will meet at The Urbana Free Library and Roselawn Cemetery.  

Cemeteries not your thing? 

#tbt Original Boy Band, Circa 1913

Professor Wallace M. Ewing was the director of the Ewing's Zouave Boys' Band for over 15 years during the early 20th century. 

In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today America honors the contributions and incredible life of Martin Luther King Jr. On this date we especially pause to remember his passion, bravery and hope for the future. Yet, it is important to note that reminders of his life and teachings surround us every day. From memorials and streets to movies and documentaries, Dr. King’s message of love can easily be recalled. Below are a couple of every day reminders of Martin Luther King’s philosophies. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Urbana 

Formerly Hays School, the elementary school was renamed for Dr. King in the 1970’s. 

Walter C. Glines: Business Owner, Circus Performer

Walter C. Glines was the well-known proprietor of Gline’s Penny Store in Champaign, which he opened during World War I and managed until his retirement in 1956. However, before moving to Champaign and becoming a business owner, Mr. Glines had a successful career as a circus performer.

Jim Goes to Chicago

It can be hard returning to the regular routine after a long holiday break, but I wouldn't recommend going AWOL just ask Jim. 

Ellis Island, A New Beginning...

Ellis Island opened on January 1, 1892. In honor of that occasion here is a blog we posted in 2013 about the history of the island and tips for researching an ancestor's immigration story. Happy New Year, Everyone!

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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.

Library Questions of Years Gone By

One of my ongoing projects is to process the records of The Urbana Free Library. Since we were founded in 1874 there are a lot of papers to sort through. Today I came across a folder titled ‘Reference Tallys’ [sic]. Inside is a sheaf of handwritten pages divided into 4 columns: reference question, source, answered (yes or no), and the answering librarian’s initials. Although, only the month and day are listed I am estimating from the questions and location within the collection that these queries date from the 1970s.

Take a look. [Click on image for a larger picture.] Do you think you could find the answers to the following?

Journals Available at the Archives

 

The Champaign County Historical Archives subscribes to over 100 genealogical and local history journals, with several new issues added each week. Most journals are located in the Archives open stacks and are available for browsing.

Comfort Food Trumps Winter Blahs

 

One way to fight back the gloom of dark, brooding, winter weather is through celebration, and in my world view celebration is synonymous with food. Luckily, the Thanksgiving-Christmas-Chanukah-Kwanzaa-Solstice-New Year’s Eve season gives us lots of opportunities to celebrate.

100 Years Ago Today

This advertisement for Natural Brand Human Hair appeared in the Champaign Daily Gazette on Tuesday, November 23, 1915. (Note that the switches were made from "your combings". Lovely.)

"What this town needs is a bank!"

So proclaimed Samuel T. Busey, Urbana’s “soldier, banker, patriot, and public-spirited citizen” in 1867, one year before opening the first incarnation of what is now Busey Bank. Brothers and entrepreneurs Samuel T. and Simeon H. Busey opened Busey Brothers & Company bank on Monday, January 13, 1868. (1)