IGHS & Foundation

IGHS & Foundation Illiana Genealogical & Historical Society, the first Illinois genealogical society chartered in 1964 Conducts research at a reasonable cost.

Publishes Illiana Genealogist, a quarterly Illiana Genealogical and historical publication provided to all members. Operates a comprehensive and independent genealogical library at 215 North Street, Danville, IL 61832.

100% volunteer-run. Repository of all Vermilion County, Illinois, probate files from c1829-1970. Please check our website and visit us at the IGHS library!

Did you know…that there was a railroad wreck at the LeNeve bridge just west of Mann’s Chapel near Rossville, Illinois, i...
09/13/2025

Did you know…that there was a railroad wreck at the LeNeve bridge just west of Mann’s Chapel near Rossville, Illinois, in 1903? The exact date in 1903 is unsure, but this December 17, 1970, article in the Rossville Press below shared a photo of the wreckage as well as details of the accident.

Did you know…that the fall issue of IGHS’ Illiana Genealogist was just mailed? Articles include: Newell township’s Huffm...
09/13/2025

Did you know…that the fall issue of IGHS’ Illiana Genealogist was just mailed? Articles include: Newell township’s Huffman Cemetery and the Daniel P. and Elizabeth Switzer family; Danville’s pioneer cemetery; Miss Mary Hawkins - a Danville High School original; David Rankin’s life story - Rankin’s namesake; Reason Hooton’s unusual will; Willard “Mr. Revenue” Ice - Danville native for whom a large Springfield government building is named; Women Warriors of Central Illinois; and a book review of the Prairie Farmer’s Directory of Farmers and Breeders of Vermilion County (1918). Also included is an application to recognize one’s ancestor(s) for the Vermilion County Pioneer Recognition Project in conjunction with the upcoming 200th anniversary of the founding of Vermilion Coubty next year. Pioneers who resided in Vermilion County by 1876 or earlier are eligible for recognition. IGHS members will receive this issue of Illiana Genealogist in the mail. Limited copies are available at IGHS for $5 each.

Did you know…that a large addition or annex was constructed onto the south side of the Holland Apartments in 1927? This ...
09/09/2025

Did you know…that a large addition or annex was constructed onto the south side of the Holland Apartments in 1927? This January 2, 1927, article from the Danville Morning Press tells about the annex opening and even lists the new occupants. The Holland Apartments building at 324 N. Vermilion in Danville, IL, was built by Anson Phelps Dodge in 1906 and was originally known as the Dodge Flats. His daughter, Julia Dodge Maloney Hickman (1893-1931) added the south wing in 1927. The building is currently being renovated by its new owner.

Did you know…that “Danville’s No. 1 Viking,” Wayne Smith, led the cheers as Danville High School (IL) defeated Decatur H...
09/09/2025

Did you know…that “Danville’s No. 1 Viking,” Wayne Smith, led the cheers as Danville High School (IL) defeated Decatur High School 20-0 on a soggy Friday evening on October 14, 1960?“Danville’s No. 1 Viking” was an earlier rendition of the Spirit Viking. DHS changed its nickname from Maroons to the Vikings in the late 1950s.

Did you know…that singing star Pat Boone made a surprise appearance at the Danville High School (IL) Homecoming assembly...
09/09/2025

Did you know…that singing star Pat Boone made a surprise appearance at the Danville High School (IL) Homecoming assembly in the fall of 1958? Boone was staying at the Wolford Hotel as he was in town relating to business at the old federal courthouse. DHS principal E.D. Milhon secretly went to the Wolford to ask Boone to attend the Homecoming assembly - which he did. His appearance was a complete surprise and when Boone came out on the DHS stage, pandemonium erupted in the 2,000-member student and staff audience. He proceeded to serenade the Homecoming Queen Carolyn Estes. His appearance caused such a sensation that a massive number of telephone calls were made in the city, resulting in the Danville telephone system going off-line temporarily. The 1958 Homecoming queen, Carolyn Estes, married Joe Walge and remained in Danville, raising two children - Steve and Jamie. After working many years as a teacher aide in the Danville Schools, she died in 1999. Boone remains active is still seen on television ads.

Did you know…that it cost $4.00 to dig a grave at Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville, Illinois, in the 1870s? Below is a r...
09/06/2025

Did you know…that it cost $4.00 to dig a grave at Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville, Illinois, in the 1870s? Below is a receipt for payment of digging the grave of Miss Phathy/Phytha Short dated December 24, 1877. The receipt was signed by John H. Andrews, sexton, who learned the burial trade while a Union prisoner of war at the infamous Confederate Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. Andrews had been assigned to the burial detail there. After the war, he located in Danville where he was the first sexton of Spring Hill. The receipt was evidently written on the back of an unfilled form that the cemetery sent to individuals who were not maintaining their lots to the expectations of the cemetery board.

Did you know…that IGHS has copies of a number of doctor bills from Danville, Illinois, that are well over a century old...
09/06/2025

Did you know…that IGHS has copies of a number of doctor bills from Danville, Illinois, that are well over a century old? Here is a receipt issued in 1899 by Dr. Joseph Fairhall for medicine and medical treatment of Mr. W. Butler - totaling $39. Dr. Fairhall’s office was on Gilbert Street next to the bridge. He was a physician and surgeon.

Did you know…that Thomas Wesley Harris of Hoopeston, Illinois, was believed to be the oldest mail carrier in the United...
09/06/2025

Did you know…that Thomas Wesley Harris of Hoopeston, Illinois, was believed to be the oldest mail carrier in the United States when he resigned in 1915 —-when he was in his late 80s? Below is an article from the Danville (IL) Morning Press (December 29, 1915). Thomas Harris later died in 1918 and was buried at the Red Top Cemetery on Route 1 south of Hoopeston.

Did you know…that the Illiana Genealogical & Historical Society Library at 215 W. North Street in Danville, Illinois, is...
09/04/2025

Did you know…that the Illiana Genealogical & Historical Society Library at 215 W. North Street in Danville, Illinois, is weeding its book collection and offering surplus books to members and the public for free? Below are two photos of some of the surplus books available. Please feel free to stop by to see if there any books that you might want. IGHS is open 10-3 Tuesday through Friday and 10-1 on Saturday.

Did you know…that a photographic portrait of the late Opal Johnson hangs in a place of honor at the IGHS Library in Danv...
09/02/2025

Did you know…that a photographic portrait of the late Opal Johnson hangs in a place of honor at the IGHS Library in Danville? A devoted genealogist always willing to help others, Opal Johnson volunteered many years at the library, serving as librarian from 1985 until 1997. Her tireless efforts helped build the IGHS library into what it is today.

Did you know…that President William McKinley’s first cousin, Lucian B. McKinley, died in St. Elizabeth Hospital in Danvi...
09/02/2025

Did you know…that President William McKinley’s first cousin, Lucian B. McKinley, died in St. Elizabeth Hospital in Danville, Illinois, on July 20, 1917? As a child, he was the future president’s playmate. Rev. McKinley was a longtime minister, last serving at Sidell, Illinois. He was buried at Warsaw, Indiana.

Address

215 West North Street
Danville, IL
61832

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm

Telephone

+12174318733

Website

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