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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 Alton (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 Alton. 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 hospitals and 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.

Alton is located in Madison County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Madison County: Bond, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Montgomery, Saint Clair, Saint Charles (MO), Saint Louis City (MO) & Saint Louis (MO).

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

  • Madison County     (The home county of Alton)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Altamont
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Altamont have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Altamont
      • Altamont is located in Madison County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Altamont <2>
    • East Alton
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Alton
      • East Alton is located in Madison County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,922 people
    • Belmont Village
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Belmont Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Belmont Village
      • Belmont Village is located in Madison County
    • Rosewood Heights
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rosewood Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosewood Heights
      • Rosewood Heights is located in Madison County
    • Godfrey
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Godfrey have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Godfrey
      • Godfrey is located in Madison County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 17,393 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Godfrey <2>
    • Melville
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Melville
      • Melville is located in Madison County
    • Cottage Hills
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cottage Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cottage Hills
      • Cottage Hills is located in Madison County
    • Wood River
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wood River have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wood River
      • Wood River is located in Madison County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,002 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Wood River <2>
    • Hartford
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Roxana
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Bethalto
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • South Roxana
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for South Roxana have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Roxana
      • South Roxana is located in Madison County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,986 people
  • Calhoun County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Deer Plain
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Deer Plain have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deer Plain
      • Deer Plain is located in Calhoun County
    • Golden Eagle
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
    • Brussels
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brussels have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brussels
      • Brussels is located in Calhoun County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 128 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Brussels <2>
    • Batchtown
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Batchtown have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Batchtown
      • Batchtown is located in Calhoun County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 192 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Batchtown <2>
    • Gilead
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gilead
      • Gilead is located in Calhoun County
    • Hardin
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hardin have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hardin
      • Hardin is located in Calhoun County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 881 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hardin <2>
  • Greene County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Kane
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kane have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kane
      • Kane is located in Greene County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 396 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Kane <2>
    • Rockbridge
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rockbridge have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rockbridge
      • Rockbridge is located in Greene County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 154 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Rockbridge <2>
    • Mid City ‑ Historic
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mid City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mid City
      • Mid City is located in Greene County
    • East Hardin
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for East Hardin have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Hardin
      • East Hardin is located in Greene County
    • Carrollton
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Carrollton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carrollton
      • Carrollton is located in Greene County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,352 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Carrollton <2>
    • Woody
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woody
      • Woody is located in Greene County
  • Jersey County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Elsah
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Elsah have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elsah
      • Elsah is located in Jersey County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 604 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Elsah <2>
    • Delhi
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Delhi have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delhi
      • Delhi is located in Jersey County
    • Dow
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
    • McClusky
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McClusky
      • McClusky is located in Jersey County
    • Chautauqua
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chautauqua
      • Chautauqua is located in Jersey County
    • Grafton
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
    • Otterville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Otterville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Otterville
      • Otterville is located in Jersey County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 116 people
    • Fidelity
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fidelity have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fidelity
      • Fidelity is located in Jersey County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 113 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Fidelity <2>
    • Jerseyville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jerseyville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jerseyville
      • Jerseyville is located in Jersey County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 8,111 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Jerseyville <2>
    • Fieldon
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Nutwood
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nutwood
      • Nutwood is located in Jersey County
  • Macoupin County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Brighton
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
    • Piasa
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
    • Bunker Hill
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bunker Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bunker Hill
      • Bunker Hill is located in Macoupin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,664 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Bunker Hill <2>
    • Shipman
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Royal Lakes
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Royal Lakes have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Royal Lakes
      • Royal Lakes is located in Macoupin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 185 people
      • Royal Lakes has also been known as:
      • Royal Lakes village
    • Medora
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Medora have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Medora
      • Medora is located in Macoupin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 390 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Medora <2>
    • Summerville
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summerville
      • Summerville is located in Macoupin County
    • Dorchester
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dorchester have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dorchester
      • Dorchester is located in Macoupin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 137 people
    • Plainview
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Plainview have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plainview
      • Plainview is located in Macoupin County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Plainview <2>
    • Wilsonville
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wilsonville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilsonville
      • Wilsonville is located in Macoupin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 550 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Wilsonville <2>
    • Staunton
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
    • Challacombe
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Challacombe have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Challacombe
      • Challacombe is located in Macoupin County
  • Monroe County
    • Columbia
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Columbia have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Columbia
      • Columbia is located in Monroe County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,627 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Columbia <2>
  • Saint Clair County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Brooklyn
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brooklyn have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brooklyn
      • Brooklyn is located in Saint Clair County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 687 people
    • Fairmont City
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fairmont City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairmont City
      • Fairmont City is located in Saint Clair County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,439 people
    • National City
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for National City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for National City
      • National City is located in Saint Clair County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for National City <2>
    • East Saint Louis
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Washington Park
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Washington Park
      • Washington Park is located in Saint Clair County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,831 people
    • Caseyville
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Bunkum
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bunkum
      • Bunkum is located in Saint Clair County
    • Alorton
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Alorton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alorton
      • Alorton is located in Saint Clair County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,880 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Alorton <2>
    • French Village
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for French Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for French Village
      • French Village is located in Saint Clair County
    • Sauget
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sauget have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sauget
      • Sauget is located in Saint Clair County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 154 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sauget <2>
    • Cahokia
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cahokia
      • Cahokia is located in Saint Clair County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 13,742 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cahokia <2>
    • Centreville
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Centreville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Centreville
      • Centreville is located in Saint Clair County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,844 people
  • Lincoln County (MO)
    • Old Monroe
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Old Monroe have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Monroe
      • Old Monroe is located in Lincoln County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 291 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Old Monroe <2>
  • Saint Charles County (MO)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • West Alton
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Alton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Alton
      • West Alton is located in Saint Charles County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 529 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for West Alton <2>
    • Portage Des Sioux
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Gardnerville
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gardnerville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gardnerville
      • Gardnerville is located in Saint Charles County (MO)
    • Saint Charles
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
    • Harvester
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Saint Peters
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
    • All Saints Village
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for All Saints Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for All Saints Village
      • All Saints Village is located in Saint Charles County (MO)
    • Cottleville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cottleville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cottleville
      • Cottleville is located in Saint Charles County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,925 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cottleville <2>
    • Weldon Spring
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Weldon Spring have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weldon Spring
      • Weldon Spring is located in Saint Charles County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,546 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Weldon Spring <2>
    • Weldon Spring Heights
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Weldon Spring Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weldon Spring Heights
      • Weldon Spring Heights is located in Saint Charles County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 90 people
    • O'Fallon
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for O'Fallon have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for O'Fallon
      • O'Fallon is located in Saint Charles County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 89,769 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for O'Fallon <2>
    • Saint Paul
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • 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 Saint Charles County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,796 people
  • Saint Louis City (MO)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Baden
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Baden
      • Baden is located in Saint Louis City (MO)
    • Saint Louis
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • University City
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for University City
      • University City is located in Saint Louis City (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 34,049 people
    • Cheltenham
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cheltenham have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cheltenham
      • Cheltenham is located in Saint Louis City (MO)
    • Carondelet
      (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carondelet
      • Carondelet is located in Saint Louis City (MO)
  • Saint Louis County (MO)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Spanish Lake
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spanish Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spanish Lake
      • Spanish Lake is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
    • Black Jack
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Black Jack have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Black Jack
      • Black Jack is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 6,921 people
    • Glasgow Village
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Glasgow Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glasgow Village
      • Glasgow Village is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
    • Bellefontaine Neighbors
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bellefontaine Neighbors have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bellefontaine Neighbors
      • Bellefontaine Neighbors is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,297 people
    • Castle Point
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Castle Point have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Castle Point
      • Castle Point is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
    • Moline Acres
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Moline Acres have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moline Acres
      • Moline Acres is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,339 people
    • Riverview
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Riverview have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverview
      • Riverview is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,821 people
    • Florissant
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Florissant
      • Florissant is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 50,795 people
    • Calverton Park
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Calverton Park have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calverton Park
      • Calverton Park is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,267 people
    • Dellwood
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dellwood have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dellwood
      • Dellwood is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,994 people
    • Ferguson
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ferguson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ferguson
      • Ferguson is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 20,457 people
    • Jennings
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jennings have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jennings
      • Jennings is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 14,644 people

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Alton ...

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 110 newspapers that have been published in the area around Alton.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Alton. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Alton and those printed in the larger area surrounding Alton.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 15 miles [24.1 km]<3> of Alton.

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 Alton:

Cemeteries Near Alton ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Alton.

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 Alton covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

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

  • Alton Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Alton Cemetery is a very large cemetery that is located in Alton.
    • The Alton Cemetery has also been known as:
    • Alton National Cemetery
    • Grandview Cemetery
    • Lovejoy Cemetery
    • Lovejoy Memorial Cemetery
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Alton Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #640635 <4>
  • Oakwood Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
  • St. Joseph Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Joseph Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Joseph Cemetery
  • Confederate Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Confederate Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Confederate Cemetery
  • St. Josephs Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
  • East Alton Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the East Alton Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the East Alton Cemetery
  • Milton Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
  • Greenwood Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Greenwood Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Greenwood Cemetery
  • Immaculate Conception Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Immaculate Conception Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Immaculate Conception Cemetery
  • Bailey Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bailey Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bailey Cemetery
  • Espedeza Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Espedeza Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Espedeza Cemetery
  • Alton State Hospital Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Alton State Hospital Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Alton State Hospital Cemetery
  • Continue List   (458 more) ...
    • Godfrey City Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Godfrey City Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Godfrey City Cemetery
    • Valhalla Memorial Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Valhalla Memorial Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Valhalla Memorial Cemetery
    • Woodlawn Hill Cemetery
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Woodlawn Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Woodlawn Hill 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.<5>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Alton had a population of 10,294 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Alton had a population of 26,049 people.

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

  • Upper Alton
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Upper Alton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Upper Alton
    • Upper Alton is located in Madison County
  • North Alton
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Alton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Alton
    • North Alton is located in Madison County
  • Godfrey
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Godfrey have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Godfrey
    • Godfrey is located in Madison County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 17,393 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Godfrey <2>
  • Melville
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Melville
    • Melville is located in Madison County
  • Spanish Lake
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spanish Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spanish Lake
    • Spanish Lake is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
  • Bethalto
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
  • Fosterburg
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fosterburg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fosterburg
    • Fosterburg is located in Madison County
  • Cross Keys
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cross Keys have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cross Keys
    • Cross Keys is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
  • Wanda
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wanda have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wanda
    • Wanda is located in Madison County
  • Moro
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Moro have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moro
    • Moro is located in Madison County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Moro <2>
  • Brooks
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brooks have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brooks
    • Brooks is located in Madison County
  • Portage Des Sioux
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
  • Continue List   (18 more) ...
    • Florissant
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Florissant
      • Florissant is located in Saint Louis County (MO)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 50,795 people
    • Mitchell
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mitchell
      • Mitchell is located in Madison County
    • Poag
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Poag have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Poag
      • Poag is located in Madison County

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

The official website for Alton: www.alton-il.com/

The official website for Madison County: www.co.madison.il.us/

The official website for State of Illinois: https://illinois.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 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Alton) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Alton. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 38.8955, Longitude: -90.1764    
<4>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.
<5>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 Alton, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024