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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 Chama (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 Chama. 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 northwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals and doctors were in the next county to the west. 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 west 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.

Chama is located in Huerfano County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Huerfano County: Alamosa, Costilla, Custer, Las Animas & Pueblo.

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

  • Huerfano County     (The home county of Chama)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Chama, with the one closest to Chama listed first.
    • Red Wing
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Gardner
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
    • La Veta Pass
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for La Veta Pass. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Veta Pass
      • La Veta Pass is located in Huerfano County
    • Muleshoe
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Muleshoe. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Muleshoe
      • Muleshoe is located in Huerfano County
    • Uptop ‑ Historic
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Uptop
      • Uptop is located in Huerfano County
    • Bradford
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Bradford. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bradford
      • Bradford is located in Huerfano County
    • Alamo
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alamo
      • Alamo is located in Huerfano County
    • Tioga
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Tioga. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tioga
      • Tioga is located in Huerfano County
    • La Veta
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Calumet
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calumet
      • Calumet is located in Huerfano County
    • Cuchara
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Apache City
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Apache City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Apache City
      • Apache City is located in Huerfano County
  • Costilla County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Chama, with the one closest to Chama listed first.
    • Russell ‑ Historic
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Russell
      • Russell is located in Costilla County
    • Garland City ‑ Historic
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Garland City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garland City
      • Garland City is located in Costilla County
    • Fort Garland
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Blanca
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
  • Custer County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Chama, with the one closest to Chama listed first.
    • Rosita
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosita
      • Rosita is located in Custer County
    • Querida ‑ Historic
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Querida
      • Querida is located in Custer County
      • Querida has also been known as:
      • Bassick
      • Querida Junction
    • Silver Cliff
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Silver Cliff have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Silver Cliff
      • Silver Cliff is located in Custer County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 741 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Silver Cliff <1>
    • Westcliffe
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
  • Pueblo County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Chama, with the one closest to Chama listed first.
    • Rye
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rye
      • Rye is located in Pueblo County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 253 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Rye <1>
    • Greenhorn
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Greenhorn. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenhorn
      • Greenhorn is located in Pueblo County
    • Beulah
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Beulah have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beulah
      • Beulah is located in Pueblo County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Beulah <1>
    • Colorado City
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colorado City
      • Colorado City is located in Pueblo County
    • Beulah Valley
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Beulah Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beulah Valley
      • Beulah Valley is located in Pueblo County
  • Saguache County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Chama, with the one closest to Chama listed first.
    • Liberty ‑ Historic
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Liberty
      • Liberty is located in Saguache County
    • Duncan ‑ Historic
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Duncan
      • Duncan is located in Saguache County
    • Crestone
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)

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

Cemeteries Near Chama ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Chama.

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

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

  • Chama Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Chama Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Chama Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Gonzales Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Gonzales Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Gonzales Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Gardner Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Gardner Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Gardner Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Yellowstone Creek Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
  • Sanches Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Sanches Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Sanches Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Farisita Cemetery
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Farisita Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Farisita Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Maes Creek Cemetery
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Maes Creek Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Maes Creek Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Cisneros Cemetery
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cisneros Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cisneros Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Urraca Cemetery
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Urraca Cemetery
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for the Urraca Cemetery. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Urraca Cemetery is located 23 miles [37 km]<4> to the southwest of Alamosa.
    • The Urraca Cemetery has also been known as:
    • Bad Booze Cemetery
    • Bowerman - Reimer - Nelson Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #57595 <5>
  • Pioneer Urraca Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pioneer Urraca Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pioneer Urraca Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Uracca Pioneer Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Oak View Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oak View Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oak View Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (18 more) ...
    • Chavez Cemetery
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Chavez Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Chavez Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Mac Mullan Cemetery
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mac Mullan Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mac Mullan Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Blanca Trinchera Cemetery
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Blanca Trinchera Cemetery
      • The Blanca Trinchera Cemetery has also been known as:
      • New Ft. Garland 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>

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

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

  • Malachite
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Malachite have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Malachite
    • Malachite is located in Huerfano County
  • Sharpsdale
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sharpsdale have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sharpsdale
    • Sharpsdale is located in Huerfano County
  • Gardner
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
  • Muleshoe
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Muleshoe. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Muleshoe
    • Muleshoe is located in Huerfano County
  • Russell ‑ Historic
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Russell
    • Russell is located in Costilla County
  • Bradford
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Bradford. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bradford
    • Bradford is located in Huerfano County
  • Badito
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Badito have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Badito
    • Badito is located in Huerfano County
  • Garland City ‑ Historic
    (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Garland City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garland City
    • Garland City is located in Costilla County
  • Tioga
    (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Tioga. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tioga
    • Tioga is located in Huerfano County
  • Fort Garland
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
  • La Veta
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Blanca
    (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
  • Continue List   (9 more) ...
    • Rye
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rye
      • Rye is located in Pueblo County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 253 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Rye <1>
    • Fairview
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fairview have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairview
      • Fairview is located in Custer County
    • Rosita
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosita
      • Rosita is located in Custer County

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

Newspapers Published in Chama ...

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 35 newspapers that have been published in the area around Chama.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Chama, there are papers which were published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Chama.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we like to start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These 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 Chama:

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

The official website for State of Colorado: https://www.colorado.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<2>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.
<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' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Chama) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Chama. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 37.7189, Longitude: -105.2989       In this case, the coordinates for Chama 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 Chama, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025