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Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about Thompson (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Thompson. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Neighboring Counties ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the northeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the north.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the east contained birth and death records; the county to the north contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Thompson is located in Madison County.

To see how the shape of Arkansas' counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Madison County: Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Newton & Washington.

Below are the counties that are near Thompson. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Thompson:

  • Madison County     (The home county of Thompson)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Thompson, with the one closest to Thompson listed first.
    • Delaney
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delaney
      • Delaney is located in Madison County
    • Wesley
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wesley have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wesley
      • Wesley is located in Madison County
    • Georgetown
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Georgetown
      • Georgetown is located in Madison County
    • Combs
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Brashears
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brashears
      • Brashears is located in Madison County
    • Saint Paul
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Saint Paul have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Paul
      • Saint Paul is located in Madison County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 110 people
    • Witter
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Witter have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Witter
      • Witter is located in Madison County
    • Whitener
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whitener
      • Whitener is located in Madison County
    • Hindsville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hindsville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hindsville
      • Hindsville is located in Madison County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 68 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hindsville <2>
    • Huntsville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Pettigrew
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pettigrew have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pettigrew
      • Pettigrew is located in Madison County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Pettigrew <2>
    • Boston
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boston
      • Boston is located in Madison County
    • Kingston
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kingston have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kingston
      • Kingston is located in Madison County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Kingston <2>
  • Benton County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Thompson, with the one closest to Thompson listed first.
    • Bethel Heights
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bethel Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bethel Heights
      • Bethel Heights is located in Benton County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,970 people
    • War Eagle
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for War Eagle
      • War Eagle is located in Benton County
    • Lowell
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lowell have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lowell
      • Lowell is located in Benton County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 9,876 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lowell <2>
    • Cave Springs
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cave Springs have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cave Springs
      • Cave Springs is located in Benton County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,737 people
    • Prairie Creek
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prairie Creek
      • Prairie Creek is located in Benton County
    • Rogers
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
  • Carroll County
    • Dryfork
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dryfork
      • Dryfork is located in Carroll County
  • Crawford County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Thompson, with the one closest to Thompson listed first.
    • Bidville
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bidville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bidville
      • Bidville is located in Crawford County
    • Winfrey
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Winfrey
      • Winfrey is located in Crawford County
    • Locke
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Locke
      • Locke is located in Crawford County
    • Chester
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chester have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chester
      • Chester is located in Crawford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 159 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Chester <2>
    • Mountainburg
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mountainburg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountainburg
      • Mountainburg is located in Crawford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 612 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mountainburg <2>
    • Mulberry
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mulberry have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mulberry
      • Mulberry is located in Crawford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,694 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mulberry <2>
  • Franklin County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Thompson, with the one closest to Thompson listed first.
    • Cass
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cass
      • Cass is located in Franklin County
    • Watalula
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Watalula
      • Watalula is located in Franklin County
    • Felkner Town
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Felkner Town have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Felkner Town
      • Felkner Town is located in Franklin County
    • Ozark
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ozark
      • Ozark is located in Franklin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,626 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ozark <2>
  • Johnson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Thompson, with the one closest to Thompson listed first.
    • Batson
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Batson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Batson
      • Batson is located in Johnson County
    • Oark
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Oark have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oark
      • Oark is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Oark <2>
  • Newton County
    • Boxley
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Boxley have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boxley
      • Boxley is located in Newton County
  • Washington County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Thompson, with the one closest to Thompson listed first.
    • Durham
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Durham
      • Durham is located in Washington County
    • Hazel Valley
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hazel Valley
      • Hazel Valley is located in Washington County
    • Elkins
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elkins
      • Elkins is located in Washington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,664 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Elkins <2>
    • Sulphur City
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sulphur City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sulphur City
      • Sulphur City is located in Washington County
    • Harris
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Harris have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harris
      • Harris is located in Washington County
    • Brentwood
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brentwood
      • Brentwood is located in Washington County
    • Goshen
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Goshen have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goshen
      • Goshen is located in Washington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,985 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Goshen <2>
    • Winslow
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Greenland
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenland
      • Greenland is located in Washington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,397 people
    • West Fork
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
    • Mayfield
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mayfield
      • Mayfield is located in Washington County
    • Fayette Junction
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fayette Junction
      • Fayette Junction is located in Washington County
    • Fayetteville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fayetteville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fayetteville
      • Fayetteville is located in Washington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 89,576 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Fayetteville <2>

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Thompson, see our County-by-County Page for Thompson.

Newspapers Published in Thompson ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 86 newspapers that have been published in the area around Thompson.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Thompson, there are papers which were published within 20 miles [32.2 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Thompson.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These helpful websites offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Thompson:

Cemeteries Near Thompson ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Thompson.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Thompson covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Thompson, with the one closest to Thompson listed first.

  • Shumate Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Shumate Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Shumate Cemetery
  • Pinnacle Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pinnacle Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pinnacle Cemetery
  • Walnut Grove Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Walnut Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Walnut Grove Cemetery
  • Dunaway Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Dunaway Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Dunaway Cemetery
  • Parker Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Parker Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Parker Cemetery
  • Mt. Liberty Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mt. Liberty Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mt. Liberty Cemetery
  • Lewis Family Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
  • Mt. Olive Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
  • Mt. Salem Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
  • Salem Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Salem Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Salem Cemetery
  • Zion Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Zion Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Zion Cemetery
  • Richardson Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Richardson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Richardson Cemetery
  • Continue List   (295 more) ...
    • Reese Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Reese Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Reese Cemetery
    • Hickory Creek Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hickory Creek Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hickory Creek Cemetery
    • Grose Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Grose Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Grose Cemetery

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<6>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that in 1895, Thompson had a post office and railroad service.

These communities are listed based on their distance from Thompson, with the one closest to Thompson listed first.

  • Durham
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Durham
    • Durham is located in Washington County
  • Crosses
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Crosses have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crosses
    • Crosses is located in Madison County
  • Hazel Valley
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hazel Valley
    • Hazel Valley is located in Washington County
  • Arnett
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Arnett have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arnett
    • Arnett is located in Washington County
  • Delaney
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delaney
    • Delaney is located in Madison County
  • Patrick
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Patrick have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Patrick
    • Patrick is located in Madison County
  • Elkins
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elkins
    • Elkins is located in Washington County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,664 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Elkins <2>
  • Sulphur City
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sulphur City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sulphur City
    • Sulphur City is located in Washington County
  • Wesley
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wesley have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wesley
    • Wesley is located in Madison County
  • Sunset
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sunset have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunset
    • Sunset is located in Washington County
  • Combs
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
  • Drakes Creek
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Drakes Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Drakes Creek
    • Drakes Creek is located in Madison County
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • Brentwood
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brentwood
      • Brentwood is located in Washington County
    • Harris
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Harris have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harris
      • Harris is located in Washington County
    • Woolsey
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woolsey have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woolsey
      • Woolsey is located in Washington County

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Thompson. See our List of 1890's Communities around Thompson.

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Thompson. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for State of Arkansas: https://portal.arkansas.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<2>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Thompson) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Thompson. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 35.9220, Longitude: -93.9462       In this case, the coordinates for Thompson have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<4>If we found a location and have questions about the accuracy of our information, we will simply say that the marker is 'in the vicinity'. We are not confident about the location and the position of our marker is only a rough guide. If we have too many doubts about the location, we will not include it in our database.
<5>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.
<6>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Thompson, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024