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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 San Luis (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 San Luis. 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.

A Few Details for San Luis ...

While it's still very early in our research, we found that:

  • San Luis was established in 1851.
  • It was incorporated in 1885.

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 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.

San Luis is located in Costilla County and is the County Seat.

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 Costilla County: Alamosa, Conejos, Huerfano, Las Animas, Colfax (NM) & Taos (NM).

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

  • Costilla County     (The home county of San Luis)
    • The following are listed by their distance from San Luis, with the one closest to San Luis listed first.
    • Chama
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chama have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chama
      • Chama is located in Costilla County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Chama <2>
    • San Pablo
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for San Pablo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for San Pablo
      • San Pablo is located in Costilla County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for San Pablo <2>
    • San Acacio
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
    • Garcia
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Garcia have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garcia
      • Garcia is located in Costilla County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Garcia <2>
    • Fort Garland
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
    • Blanca
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
    • Garland City ‑ Historic
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Garland City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garland City
      • Garland City is located in Costilla County
    • Jaroso
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jaroso have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jaroso
      • Jaroso is located in Costilla County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Jaroso <2>
    • Russell ‑ Historic
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Russell
      • Russell is located in Costilla County
  • Alamosa County
    • The following are listed by their distance from San Luis, with the one closest to San Luis listed first.
    • Alamosa East
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Alamosa East. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alamosa East
      • Alamosa East is located in Alamosa County
    • Henry
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Henry
      • Henry is located in Alamosa County
  • Conejos County
    • The following are listed by their distance from San Luis, with the one closest to San Luis listed first.
    • Sanford
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sanford have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sanford
      • Sanford is located in Conejos County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 900 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sanford <2>
    • Manassa
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
    • La Jara
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
    • Bountiful
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bountiful
      • Bountiful is located in Conejos County
    • Romeo
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Romeo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Romeo
      • Romeo is located in Conejos County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 417 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Romeo <2>
  • Huerfano County
    • The following are listed by their distance from San Luis, with the one closest to San Luis listed first.
    • Cuchara
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Muleshoe
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • 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.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Muleshoe
      • Muleshoe is located in Huerfano County
    • Uptop ‑ Historic
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Uptop
      • Uptop is located in Huerfano County
  • Las Animas County
    • Monument Park
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monument Park
      • Monument Park is located in Las Animas County
  • Taos County (NM)
    • The following are listed by their distance from San Luis, with the one closest to San Luis listed first.
    • Ventero
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ventero
      • Ventero is located in Taos County (NM)
    • Costilla
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Amalia
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Amalia
      • Amalia is located in Taos County (NM)
    • Buena Vista
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)

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

Cemeteries Near San Luis ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of San Luis.

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

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

  • San Pedro Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the San Pedro Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the San Pedro Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Chama Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] 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.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Old Town Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
  • Garcia Cemetery
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
  • Brennaman Cemetery
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Brennaman Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Brennaman Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Ft. Garland Cemetery
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ft. Garland Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ft. Garland Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jaroso Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Jaroso Cemetery
    • The Jaroso Cemetery has also been known as:
    • Mountain View Cemetery
  • Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Myer Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Myer Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Myer Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Mac Mullan Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
    • 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.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Blanca Trinchera Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Blanca Trinchera Cemetery
    • The Blanca Trinchera Cemetery has also been known as:
    • New Ft. Garland Cemetery
  • Los Sauces Church Yard Cemetery
    (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
  • Continue List   (23 more) ...
    • Gate to Heaven Cemetery
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Gate to Heaven Cemetery
      • To give a relative sense of its location, the Gate to Heaven Cemetery is located 8 miles [12.9 km]<5> to the west of Sanford.
      • The Gate to Heaven Cemetery has also been known as:
      • Los Lasauses Catholic Cemetery
      • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #57390 <4>
    • Lasauses Cemetery
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lasauses Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lasauses Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Los Lasauses Pentecostal Cemetery
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Los Lasauses Pentecostal Cemetery
      • To give a relative sense of its location, the Los Lasauses Pentecostal Cemetery is located 8 miles [12.9 km]<5> to the west of Sanford.
      • The Los Lasauses Pentecostal Cemetery has also been known as:
      • Assembly of God Cemetery
      • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #2335304 <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 in 1895, San Luis had a post office and no railroad service. In 2020, San Luis had a population of 692 people.

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

  • Fort Garland
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
  • Costilla
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
  • Blanca
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
  • Garland City ‑ Historic
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Garland City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garland City
    • Garland City is located in Costilla County
  • Lasauses
    (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lasauses have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lasauses
    • Lasauses is located in Conejos County
  • Stonewall
    (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stonewall have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stonewall
    • Stonewall is located in Las Animas County
  • Russell ‑ Historic
    (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Russell
    • Russell is located in Costilla County
  • Sanford
    (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sanford have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sanford
    • Sanford is located in Conejos County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 900 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sanford <2>
  • Los Cerritos
    (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Los Cerritos have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Los Cerritos
    • Los Cerritos is located in Conejos County
  • Manassa
    (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
  • Muleshoe
    (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
    • 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.<3>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Muleshoe
    • Muleshoe is located in Huerfano County
  • La Jara
    (29 miles [46.7 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 San Luis. See our List of 1890's Communities around San Luis.

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of San Luis ...

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 17 newspapers that have been published in the area around San Luis.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of San Luis. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of San Luis and those printed in the larger area surrounding San Luis.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<5> of San Luis.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first visit 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 San Luis:

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

The official website for State of Colorado: https://www.colorado.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>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.
<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>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- San Luis) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in San Luis. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 37.2007, Longitude: -105.4241       In this case, the coordinates for San Luis have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<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 San Luis, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025