In answer to the question about Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Children's School. www.iltrail.org/institution.htm states the following about ISSCS. Home for Union Army Soldiers' Children At Normal, the state has established a "Home for the intellectual, moral and physical development of children whose fathers served in the Union army or navy during the war." The idea of founding this home originated in a "most patriotic impulse on the part of the people to fulfill the pledge made to the gallant soldiers who imperiled their lives on the field of battle during the dark days of the Civil War, that if they fell in the fight, the widows and children should be cared for." This pledge is being sacredly kept by the State and nation. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I left Illinois 7 years ago, but the last thing I knew about ISSCS was that it was being turned into a shopping complex. I took a couple of college classes there in 1981 through Lincoln College. It had been fairly empty for a few years at that point, but was still in operation in the 70's. I'm sure you could get information about the school from the Illinois State Archives; their address is at www.usgenweb.com or www.sos.state.il.us. IRAD may also have information. Check www.usgenweb.com, select state information, then Illinois. If you read about how to request records, you may find more information. Hope that helps. Good luck.