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 Blockton (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 Blockton. 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 doctors and 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.
Blockton is located in Taylor County.
To see how the shape of Iowa's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Taylor County: Adams, Page, Ringgold, Nodaway (MO) & Worth (MO).
Below are the counties that are near Blockton. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Blockton:
- Taylor County (The home county of Blockton)
- The following are listed by their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Athelstan
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- Athelstan is located in Taylor County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Athelstan
- Conway
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Conway is located in Taylor County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conway
- Population from the 2020 Census: 40 people
- Clearfield
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
- Bedford
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- Sharpsburg
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
- Sharpsburg is located in Taylor County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sharpsburg
- Population from the 2020 Census: 86 people
- Gravity
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
- Gravity is located in Taylor County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gravity
- Population from the 2020 Census: 181 people
- Lenox
(18 miles [29 km] to the north)
- Ladoga
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Ladoga is located in Taylor County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ladoga
- Siam
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Siam is located in Taylor County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Siam
- New Market
(23 miles [37 km] to the west)
- New Market is located in Taylor County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Market
- Population from the 2020 Census: 397 people
- Guss
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- Guss is located in Taylor County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Guss
- Adams County
- The following are listed by their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Mercer
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
- Mercer is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mercer
- Stringtown
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Stringtown is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stringtown
- Iveyville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- Iveyville is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Iveyville
- Prescott
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Brooks
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Brooks is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brooks
- Corning
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Queen City ‑ Historic
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Queen City is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Queen City
- Decatur County
- The following are listed by their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Lamoni
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Grand River
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Grand River is located in Decatur County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grand River
- Population from the 2020 Census: 215 people
- Page County
- The following are listed by their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Hawleyville
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- Hawleyville is located in Page County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hawleyville
- Braddyville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Shambaugh
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Shambaugh is located in Page County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shambaugh
- Population from the 2020 Census: 181 people
- Clarinda
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Ringgold County
- The following are listed by their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Redding
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Redding is located in Ringgold County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Redding
- Population from the 2020 Census: 77 people
- Maloy
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Maloy is located in Ringgold County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maloy
- Population from the 2020 Census: 27 people
- Delphos
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Delphos is located in Ringgold County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delphos
- Estimated population in 2019: 24 people
- Benton
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Benton is located in Ringgold County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Benton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 40 people
- Mount Ayr
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
- Diagonal
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
- Knowlton ‑ Historic
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- Knowlton is located in Ringgold County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Knowlton
- Tingley
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Kellerton
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Ellston
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Ellston is located in Ringgold County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ellston
- Population from the 2020 Census: 38 people
- Beaconsfield
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Beaconsfield is located in Ringgold County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beaconsfield
- Population from the 2020 Census: 15 people
- Union County
- The following are listed by their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Shannon City
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Shannon City is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shannon City
- Population from the 2020 Census: 69 people
- Kent
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Kent is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kent
- Arispe
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Arispe is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arispe
- Population from the 2020 Census: 96 people
- Cromwell
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Cromwell is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cromwell
- Population from the 2020 Census: 105 people
- Gentry County (MO)
- The following are listed by their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Gentry
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Gentry is located in Gentry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gentry
- Population from the 2020 Census: 69 people
- Siloam Springs
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
- Siloam Springs is located in Gentry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Siloam Springs
- Alanthus Grove
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
- Alanthus Grove is located in Gentry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alanthus Grove
- Lone Star
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Lone Star is located in Gentry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lone Star
- Albany
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Stanberry
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
- Darlington
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Darlington is located in Gentry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Darlington
- Population from the 2020 Census: 116 people
- Harrison County (MO)
- The following are listed by their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Hatfield
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
- Hatfield is located in Harrison County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hatfield
- Martinsville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Martinsville is located in Harrison County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Martinsville
- Eagleville
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- New Hampton
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- New Hampton is located in Harrison County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Hampton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 270 people
- Blythedale
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Blythedale is located in Harrison County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blythedale
- Population from the 2020 Census: 183 people
- Nodaway County (MO)
- The following are listed by their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Gaynor
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Gaynor is located in Nodaway County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gaynor
- Parnell
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Orrsburg
(18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
- Orrsburg is located in Nodaway County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orrsburg
- Hopkins
(18 miles [29 km] to the west)
- Ravenwood
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Ravenwood is located in Nodaway County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ravenwood
- Population from the 2020 Census: 394 people
- Pickering
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Pickering is located in Nodaway County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pickering
- Population from the 2020 Census: 141 people
- Clyde
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Clyde is located in Nodaway County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clyde
- Population from the 2020 Census: 78 people
- Conception Junction
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Conception Junction is located in Nodaway County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conception Junction
- Population from the 2020 Census: 180 people
- Conception
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Maryville
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Arkoe
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Arkoe is located in Nodaway County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arkoe
- Population from the 2020 Census: 62 people
- Clearmont
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Worth County (MO)
- The following are listed by their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Irena
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Irena is located in Worth County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irena
- Population from the 2020 Census: 16 people
- Grant City
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Sheridan
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
- Oxford
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
- Oxford is located in Worth County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oxford
- Prohibition City
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
- Prohibition City is located in Worth County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prohibition City
- Allendale
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Worth
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
- Worth is located in Worth County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Worth
- Population from the 2020 Census: 57 people
- Denver
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
- Denver is located in Worth County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Denver
- Population from the 2020 Census: 35 people
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Blockton, see our County-by-County Page for Blockton.
Cemeteries Near Blockton ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Blockton.
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.
Although we don't have the information ourselves, if you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our list of websites on our Genealogy Helper Page for Blockton - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Blockton covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Rosehill Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Tent Chapel Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
- Athelstan Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Honey Grove Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Fairview Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Platte River Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Platteville Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Redding Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Forest Home Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Isadora Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- St. Marys Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for St. Marys Cemetery
- To give a relative sense of its location, the St. Marys Cemetery is located outside and to the northeast of Maloy.
- Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #2193998 <2>
- Clark - Allen Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Continue List (233 more) ...
- Sheridan Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sheridan Cemetery
- The Sheridan Cemetery has also been known as:
- Sheridan VanSkyock Cemetery
- Fletchall Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Middle Fork Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
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.<4>
The Rand McNally Atlas shows that in 1895, Blockton had a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Blockton had a population of 184 people.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Blockton, with the one closest to Blockton listed first.
- Redding
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Redding is located in Ringgold County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Redding
- Population from the 2020 Census: 77 people
- Platteville
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Platteville is located in Taylor County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Platteville
- Maloy
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Maloy is located in Ringgold County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maloy
- Population from the 2020 Census: 27 people
- Isadora
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Isadora is located in Worth County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Isadora
- Irena
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Irena is located in Worth County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irena
- Population from the 2020 Census: 16 people
- Delphos
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Delphos is located in Ringgold County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delphos
- Estimated population in 2019: 24 people
- Benton
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Benton is located in Ringgold County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Benton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 40 people
- Sheridan
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
- Grant City
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Conway
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Conway is located in Taylor County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conway
- Population from the 2020 Census: 40 people
- Clearfield
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
- Allison
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
- Allison is located in Nodaway County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Allison
- Continue List (16 more) ...
- Oxford
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
- Oxford is located in Worth County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oxford
- Allendale
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Bedford
(13 miles [20.9 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 Blockton. See our List of 1890's Communities around Blockton.
Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Blockton ...
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 84 newspapers that have been published in the area around Blockton.
We have organized these newspapers into two lists:
- A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Blockton. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Blockton and those printed in the larger area surrounding Blockton.
- An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<3> of Blockton.
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 websites either 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 Blockton:
- Websites specific to Iowa
- Pages specific to Taylor County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Adams County
- Decatur County
- Page County
- Ringgold County
- Union County
- Gentry County
- Harrison County
- Nodaway County
- Worth County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Iowa
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> | 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. |
| <3> | 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 drawn from Point A (ie- Blockton) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |
| <4> | 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 Blockton, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |