Database of
Soldiers' and Sailors' Home Residents (1887–1916)
This database indexes the names of
male residents of the Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home
admitted from its opening in 1887 through September 1916. Female
residents are also included from their first admissions in 1908
through September 1916. The database contains more than 14,000
entries. The 1st –16th Biennial Reports
of the Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home are the sources
of the names included in the database.
In 1885 the General Assembly created
the Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home at Quincy to provide
subsistence and a home for honorably discharged and disabled
veterans of the Mexican and Civil Wars. In succeeding years Illinois
veterans of all wars and veterans’ wives, mothers, and daughters
became eligible for admission. In 1973 the General Assembly changed
the home’s name to the Illinois Veterans’ Home. Since 1976 the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs has administered the home.
The database was created and donated to the Illinois State Archives by
Fred Delap of Kansas, Illinois. Delap, a volunteer with the Edgar County
Genealogical Society, has also indexed the names of Illinois veterans of
the War of 1812, Winnebago War, Black Hawk War, Mexican War, Civil War,
and Spanish-American War.
Photocopies
For male residents, the researcher
can use his name and resident number to request an uncertified and
unofficial photocopy of his case file. The record series, Veterans’
Case Files (RS 259.002),
includes an admission application which lists veteran’s name, age,
birthplace, residence, physical features, enlistment record, and
nature of any disability; certificate of service; hospital surgeon’s
report; death certificate; will of deceased veteran; inventory of
personal effects; and correspondence concerning veteran’s
admission to and activities while at the home.
For female residents, the researcher
can use her name and resident number to request an uncertified and
unofficial photocopy of her admission record entry. The record
series, Women’s Admission Record (RS
259.003), includes for each woman her name, register number,
town and county of residence, and dated notes on admission,
readmission, furlough, discharge, or death. Also listed is the name,
rank, company, and regiment of related veteran and, if veteran also
was admitted to the home, his register number. Copies of
certifications of women’s deaths sent to the Adjutant General are
occasionally inserted in the record.
As a result of limitations on
research time, Archives staff can photocopy no more than 2 records
per request.
To request photocopies contact:
Illinois State Archives
Reference Unit
Margaret Cross Norton Building
Capitol Complex
Springfield, Illinois 62756 |
 |
Telephone: (217) 782-3556
Fax: (217) 524-3930
Submit
a Request Via the Internet |
Abbreviations
Abbreviations used in the Illinois Soldiers' and
Sailors' Home database
are:
| 1812 |
– |
War of 1812 |
MEXICAN |
– |
Mexican War |
| BLK HWK |
– |
Black Hawk War |
REV |
– |
Revolutionary War |
| CIVIL |
– |
Civil War |
SP AM |
– |
Spanish-American War |
| INDIAN |
– |
Indian War |
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