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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 Independence (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 Independence. 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 southeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

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 south 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.

Independence is located in Inyo County and is the County Seat.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Inyo County: Fresno, Kern, Mono, San Bernardino, Tulare, Clark (NV), Esmeralda (NV) & Nye (NV).

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

  • Inyo County     (The home county of Independence)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Independence, with the one closest to Independence listed first.
    • Bend City ‑ Historic
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Bend City. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bend City
      • Bend City is located in Inyo County
    • Kearsarge ‑ Historic
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kearsarge
      • Kearsarge is located in Inyo County
      • Former names for Kearsarge:
      • Citrus
      • Kearsarge Station
    • San Carlos ‑ Historic
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for San Carlos. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for San Carlos
      • San Carlos is located in Inyo County
    • Seven Pines ‑ Historic
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seven Pines
      • Seven Pines is located in Inyo County
    • Manzanar ‑ Historic
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Manzanar have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manzanar
      • Manzanar is located in Inyo County
      • Manzanar has also been known as:
      • Manzanar Station
    • Blackrock
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blackrock
      • Blackrock is located in Inyo County
    • Reward ‑ Historic
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reward
      • Reward is located in Inyo County
    • Chrysopolis ‑ Historic
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chrysopolis have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chrysopolis
      • Chrysopolis is located in Inyo County
    • Aberdeen
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aberdeen
      • Aberdeen is located in Inyo County
    • Owenyo ‑ Historic
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Owenyo have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Owenyo
      • Owenyo is located in Inyo County
      • Former name for Owenyo:
      • New Owenyo
    • Aberdeen Station ‑ Historic
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Aberdeen Station. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aberdeen Station
      • Aberdeen Station is located in Inyo County
    • Lone Pine Creek
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lone Pine Creek
      • Lone Pine Creek is located in Inyo County
    • Whitney Portal
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whitney Portal
      • Whitney Portal is located in Inyo County
      • Former name for Whitney Portal:
      • Hunter Flat
      • Whitney Portal has also been known as:
      • Hunters Camp
  • Fresno County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Independence, with the one closest to Independence listed first.
    • Kanawyers ‑ Historic
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kanawyers
      • Kanawyers is located in Fresno County
    • Cedar Grove
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Grove
      • Cedar Grove is located in Fresno County

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Independence ...

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 21 newspapers that have been published in the area around Independence.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Independence. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Independence and those printed in the larger area surrounding Independence.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 28 miles [45.1 km]<3> of Independence.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we start with 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 Independence:

Cemeteries Near Independence ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Independence.

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

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

  • Independence Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
  • Old Independence Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
  • Camp Independence Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for the Camp Independence Cemetery. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Camp Independence Cemetery is located in Independence.
    • The Camp Independence Cemetery has also been known as:
    • Ft. Independence Cemetery
    • Indian Cemetery
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Camp Independence Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #2217265 <4>
  • Manzanar Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
  • 1872 Earthquake Victims Graveyard
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
  • Mt. Whitney Cemetery
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
  • Lone Pine Indian Cemetery
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Lone Pine Indian Cemetery is located outside and to the southwest of Lone Pine.
    • The Lone Pine Indian Cemetery has also been known as:
    • Indian Cemetery of Lone Pine
    • Indian Cemetery
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lone Pine Indian Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #2515229 <4>
  • Depot Cemetery
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for the Depot Cemetery. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Depot Cemetery is located outside and to the northeast of Lone Pine.
    • The Depot Cemetery has also been known as:
    • Old Lone Pine Cemetery
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Depot Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #8232 <4>
  • Lone Pine Pioneer Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Lone Pine Pioneer Cemetery is located outside and to the southeast of Lone Pine.
    • The Lone Pine Pioneer Cemetery has also been known as:
    • Pioneer Cemetery
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lone Pine Pioneer Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #8275 <4>
  • Woodman Cemetery
    (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Woodman Cemetery is located outside and to the south of Big Pine.
    • The Woodman Cemetery has also been known as:
    • Woodman of the World Cemetery
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Woodman Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #2473277 <4>
  • Big Pine Cemetery
    (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
  • Cerro Gordo / Swansea Cemetery
    (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for the Cerro Gordo / Swansea Cemetery. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Cerro Gordo / Swansea Cemetery is located outside and to the east of Keeler.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cerro Gordo / Swansea Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #2217260 <4>
  • Keeler Cemetery
    (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for the Keeler Cemetery. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Keeler Cemetery is located outside and to the southeast of Keeler.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Keeler Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #2296914 <4>

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 Independence had a population of 407 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service.

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

  • Bend City ‑ Historic
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Bend City. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bend City
    • Bend City is located in Inyo County
  • Kearsarge ‑ Historic
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kearsarge
    • Kearsarge is located in Inyo County
    • Former names for Kearsarge:
    • Citrus
    • Kearsarge Station
  • Kearsarge ‑ Historic
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kearsarge
    • Kearsarge is located in Inyo County
    • Former names for Kearsarge:
    • Citrus
    • Kearsarge Station
  • San Carlos ‑ Historic
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for San Carlos. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for San Carlos
    • San Carlos is located in Inyo County
  • Manzanar ‑ Historic
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Manzanar have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manzanar
    • Manzanar is located in Inyo County
    • Manzanar has also been known as:
    • Manzanar Station
  • Aberdeen
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aberdeen
    • Aberdeen is located in Inyo County
  • Owenyo ‑ Historic
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Owenyo have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Owenyo
    • Owenyo is located in Inyo County
    • Former name for Owenyo:
    • New Owenyo
  • Lone Pine
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
  • Lone Pine Station ‑ Historic
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lone Pine Station
    • Lone Pine Station is located in Inyo County
    • Lone Pine Station has also been known as:
    • Mount Whitney
    • Whitney
  • Mount Whitney Station ‑ Historic
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Mount Whitney Station. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Whitney Station
    • Mount Whitney Station is located in Inyo County
  • Alico ‑ Historic
    (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alico
    • Alico is located in Inyo County
  • Dolomite ‑ Historic
    (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dolomite
    • Dolomite is located in Inyo County
  • Continue List   (8 more) ...
    • Mock ‑ Historic
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mock have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mock
      • Mock is located in Inyo County
    • Tramway ‑ Historic
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Tramway. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tramway
      • Tramway is located in Inyo County
    • Big Pine
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)

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

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

The official website for Inyo County: www.inyocounty.us/

The official website for State of California: https://www.ca.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<2>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.
<3>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Independence) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Independence. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 36.8025, Longitude: -118.1997    
<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>To help visualize the location of the cemetery, we've drawn a straight line between the communities of Lone Pine and Independence. The cemetery can be found near that line and roughly halfway between the two communities. Remember that this is just an approximate location.
<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 Independence, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<7>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 09 Mar 2024