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 a Vermilion County judge granted a divorce in 1921 after a husband drew a gun on his wife because she ...
06/04/2026

Did you know…that a Vermilion County judge granted a divorce in 1921 after a husband drew a gun on his wife because she burned the pies she was baking? Article is from The Commercial-News - January 18, 1921.

06/03/2026

Did you know…that IGHS is offering a program on Saturday, June 27, at 1:00 p.m. at the IGHS library, 215 W. North Street, Danville, Illinois?

The Kindertransport

Heinz Karplus fled N**i Germany in 1939 as a 13–year-old boy, together with his younger sister. They left Berlin on Kindertransport - a children’s train. The Kindertransport was a program in which the British government waived visa requirements for unaccompanied minors fleeing N**i Germany. Ten thousand children, mostly Jews, were saved by this modern “orphan train.” This program will tell the story of one boy, his life in pre-war Berlin, his escape from the N**is, his life in England during the war as a refugee, and his coming to America. The presenter is Heinz Karplus’ son, Wayne Karplus.

Wayne Karplus is a retired lawyer who spent most of his legal career as Deputy Corporation Counsel for the Town of Normal, Illinois. Several years ago, he and his wife bought a home across from Mann’s Chapel near Rossville. He enjoys gardening, nature, reading history, and writing children’s stories.

If attending, please RSVP to IGHS at 217-431-8733 or [email protected]

Free admission. Light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited.

On the back cover of our magazine, it stated the program was on Sunday, June 27 - this was in error. The program will be held on Saturday, June 27, at 1:00 p.m. at IGHS.

Did you know…that the Old Covered Bridge crossed the Vermilion River in Danville, Illinois? Built in 1857, it was about ...
06/02/2026

Did you know…that the Old Covered Bridge crossed the Vermilion River in Danville, Illinois? Built in 1857, it was about 50 yards west of the present Memorial Bridge. The stone abutment on the left is still standing. Before the Old Covered Bridge was built, individuals crossed the river via a rope ferry on which a wagon and yoke of oxen could cross for a $.25 toll. The ferry was established by Samuel Gilbert in 1828. Below please find a photograph of the Old Covered Bridge and its history - both provided by the Second National Bank of Danville in 1956.

Did you know…that the Catlin Heritage Museum in Catlin, Illinois, is located in the house built by Amos Woodin, a cooper...
05/26/2026

Did you know…that the Catlin Heritage Museum in Catlin, Illinois, is located in the house built by Amos Woodin, a cooper, in 1827? It will be 200 years old next year. This photo of the home was taken in 1911.

Did you know…that Danville’s Palmer American National Bank was once located on the southeast corner of the square, origi...
05/26/2026

Did you know…that Danville’s Palmer American National Bank was once located on the southeast corner of the square, originally the site of the first store in Danville operated by Guerdon Hubbard in the 1820s? The photo below is an early photo of the Palmer American National Bank, then known as the Palmer National Bank.

Did you know…that Miss Ruth Sandeson (1890-1958) was the head of the social studies department at Danville High School f...
05/19/2026

Did you know…that Miss Ruth Sandeson (1890-1958) was the head of the social studies department at Danville High School for 38 years (1917-1955)? She also served as senior class adviser for all of her 38 years at DHS - helping each senior class prepare was its graduation. In this photo below, she is pictured with two of the DHS senior class presidents she worked with - Clinton Sandusky (Class of 1929) and her last class president, Charles Zanin (Class of 1955). On the chalkboard in back of her, all 38 DHS class presidents were listed.

Did you know…that Milton John Wolford (1844-1928) and his wife, Maud Blackwell Wolford (1848-1929), resided in this hous...
05/19/2026

Did you know…that Milton John Wolford (1844-1928) and his wife, Maud Blackwell Wolford (1848-1929), resided in this house at 204 N. Hazel in Danville, Illinois? Wolford was president of the Palmer American Bank and the Wolford Insurance Agency. The Hotel Wolford was constructed on this site and opened its doors in 1926.

05/16/2026

Did you know…that Nancy Reffitt of Indianola celebrated her 100th birthday on January 18, 1921? The event was celebrated with five generations of her family present at the home of her grandson, Charles High. She listed her daily activities as having three square meals a day, making beds, sweeping floors, playing with her great-great-great-grandchildren, and looking after her son with whom she resided. Born Nancy Fox in Kentucky in 1821, the daughter of Jesse and Ruthie Fox, she married James Reffitt and they had 12 children. She died several months after her 100th birthday, dying on November 17, 1921. She was buried at Michael Cemetery in Oakwood Township.

This is a follow up to the last post about the unknown veteran whose grave was marked in 1937 at Spring Hill Cemetery’s ...
05/16/2026

This is a follow up to the last post about the unknown veteran whose grave was marked in 1937 at Spring Hill Cemetery’s Soldiers’ Circle in Danville, Illinois, after his 1898 su***de at Douglas Park. Below is an article about the man’s death in the July 7, 1898, issue of The Danville Democrat. While there was no identification found on his body, he was wearing a Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) pin. The GAR was a veterans group of Civii War Union veterans.

Did you know…that local veterans organizations and Spring Hill Cemetery of Danville, Illinois, marked the grave of an un...
05/16/2026

Did you know…that local veterans organizations and Spring Hill Cemetery of Danville, Illinois, marked the grave of an unknown soldier in 1937? The unknown veteran was found deceased in Douglas Park on July 6, 1898. It was believed that he had taken his own life. Spring Hill records indicate that he was about 55 years old. He was buried in Soldiers Circle at Spring Hill where his grave was unmarked for many years. It is not clear how this unknown man was ascertained to be a veteran. The article below is from the November 11, 1937, issue of The Commercial-News.

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

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+12174318733

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