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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 Watson Crossing (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 Watson Crossing. 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.

Name Variations for Watson Crossing ...

When searching records, keep in mind that names and their spelling can change over time. Our sources include documents like maps, railroad schedules, Travel, Express and Shipping Guides. Many of these documents date from the 1800's and it's common to find spelling differences.

Although we can't give a definitive list, hopefully the following will give you a feel for the variations that might have occurred.

For example, a typical abbreviation for Watson Crossing: Watson Xing.

If you have information about these names (such as the reason for the change, date of change, the origin of the name), please Contact Us.

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 doctors and 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.

Watson Crossing is located in Placer County.

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 Placer County: El Dorado, Nevada, Sacramento, Sutter, Yuba, Carson City (NV), Douglas (NV) & Washoe (NV).

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

  • Placer County     (The home county of Watson Crossing)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Watson Crossing, with the one closest to Watson Crossing listed first.
    • Last Chance ‑ Historic
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Last Chance. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Last Chance
      • Last Chance is located in Placer County
    • Emigrant Gap
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Big Bend
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Bend
      • Big Bend is located in Placer County
    • Casa Loma
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Casa Loma
      • Casa Loma is located in Placer County
    • Greekstore
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greekstore
      • Greekstore is located in Placer County
    • Alta
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
    • Michigan Bluff
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Michigan Bluff
      • Michigan Bluff is located in Placer County
    • Dutch Flat
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
    • Gold Run
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
    • Iowa Hill
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Secret Town
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Secret Town. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Secret Town
      • Secret Town is located in Placer County
    • Soda Springs
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Soda Springs have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Soda Springs
      • Soda Springs is located in Placer County
  • El Dorado County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Watson Crossing, with the one closest to Watson Crossing listed first.
    • Quintette
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quintette
      • Quintette is located in El Dorado County
    • Georgetown
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
    • Fornis
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fornis
      • Fornis is located in El Dorado County
    • Greenwood
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Tahoma
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
    • Garden Valley
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Fresh Pond
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fresh Pond have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fresh Pond
      • Fresh Pond is located in El Dorado County
    • Kelsey
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kelsey
      • Kelsey is located in El Dorado County
    • Pollock Pines
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
    • Cool
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
  • Nevada County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Watson Crossing, with the one closest to Watson Crossing listed first.
    • Kingvale
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kingvale
      • Kingvale is located in Nevada County
    • Baltimore Town
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Baltimore Town have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Baltimore Town
      • Baltimore Town is located in Nevada County
    • Soda Springs
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Washington
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Meadow Lake ‑ Historic
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Meadow Lake. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meadow Lake
      • Meadow Lake is located in Nevada County
    • Summit City ‑ Historic
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Summit City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summit City
      • Summit City is located in Nevada County
    • You Bet ‑ Historic
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for You Bet. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for You Bet
      • You Bet is located in Nevada County
    • Norden
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Marsh Mill
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marsh Mill
      • Marsh Mill is located in Nevada County
    • Graniteville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Graniteville
      • Graniteville is located in Nevada County
    • Scotts Flat
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scotts Flat
      • Scotts Flat is located in Nevada County
    • Donner Woods
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Donner Woods
      • Donner Woods is located in Nevada County
  • Shasta County
    • Bear Valley ‑ Historic
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Bear Valley. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bear Valley
      • Bear Valley is located in Shasta County
  • Sierra County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Watson Crossing, with the one closest to Watson Crossing listed first.
    • Alleghany
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Forest
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest
      • Forest is located in Sierra County
    • Loganville
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Loganville. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Loganville
      • Loganville is located in Sierra County
    • Sierra City
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
    • Downieville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Goodyears Bar
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Sierraville
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Sattley
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
  • Yuba County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Watson Crossing, with the one closest to Watson Crossing listed first.
    • Camptonville
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Garden Valley ‑ Historic
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Garden Valley. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garden Valley
      • Garden Valley is located in Yuba County

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

Cemeteries Near Watson Crossing ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Watson Crossing.

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

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

  • Dutch Flat Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Dutch Flat Cemetery
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Dutch Flat Cemetery is located in the vicinity of Alta
  • Deadwood Cemetery
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Deadwood Cemetery
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for the Deadwood Cemetery. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Deadwood Cemetery is located 4 miles [6.4 km]<4> to the west of Foresthill.
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #2501041 <5>
  • Iowa Hill Cemetery
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Iowa Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Iowa Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Foresthill Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Foresthill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Foresthill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Foresthill Community Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Pioneer Grave
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pioneer Grave
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pioneer Grave have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Pioneer Grove Cemetery
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pioneer Grove Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pioneer Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Josephine Mine Cemetery
    (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
  • Pioneer Graves Cemetery
    (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pioneer Graves Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pioneer Graves Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Colfax Cemetery
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Colfax Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Colfax Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Colfax Indian Cemetery
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
  • Deer Creek Cemetery
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Deer Creek Cemetery
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Deer Creek Cemetery is located outside and to the east of Nevada City.
    • The Deer Creek Cemetery has also been known as:
    • New Odd Fellows Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #2400769 <5>
  • Continue List   (22 more) ...
    • Forest View Cemetery
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
    • Pine Grove Cemetery
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
    • Alleghany Cemetery
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)

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>

While we didn't find Watson Crossing in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Watson Crossing.

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

  • Westville
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Westville have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westville
    • Westville is located in Placer County
  • Blue Canyon
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Blue Canyon have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blue Canyon
    • Blue Canyon is located in Placer County
  • Emigrant Gap
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
  • Cisco
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cisco have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cisco
    • Cisco is located in Placer County
  • Alta
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
  • Towle
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Towle have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Towle
    • Towle is located in Placer County
  • Maybert ‑ Historic
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Maybert have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maybert
    • Maybert is located in Nevada County
  • Michigan Bluff
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Michigan Bluff
    • Michigan Bluff is located in Placer County
  • Dutch Flat
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
  • Gold Run
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
  • Washington
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
  • You Bet ‑ Historic
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for You Bet. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for You Bet
    • You Bet is located in Nevada County
  • Continue List   (13 more) ...
    • Graniteville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Graniteville
      • Graniteville is located in Nevada County
    • Yankee Jims
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Yankee Jims have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yankee Jims
      • Yankee Jims is located in Placer County
    • Chicago Park
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)

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

Newspapers Published in Watson Crossing ...

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 33 newspapers that have been published in the area around Watson Crossing.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Watson Crossing, there are papers which were published within 22 miles [35.4 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Watson Crossing.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we begin with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These professional and volunteer 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 Watson Crossing:

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

The official website for Placer County: www.placer.ca.gov/

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>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>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.
<4>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Watson Crossing) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Watson Crossing. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 39.2032, Longitude: -120.6105       In this case, the coordinates for Watson Crossing have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<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 Watson Crossing, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025