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A visit to the Sims Cemetery ...

Introduction ...

Note: We have organized the cemeteries in our Gazetteer based on a problem that we had while working on our own genealogy. Without specifying the cemeteries involved, we found an ancestor that we believed to have been buried in one cemetery was actually buried elsewhere.

We discovered that his burial had been refused at the last moment and the family had scrambled to make new arrangements. By looking at nearby cemeteries, the surrounding communities and in newspapers of the period, we were finally able to locate his burial site.

Should you find yourself in the same situation, we hope that our Gazetteer helps you discover your lost ancestor.

The Location of the Sims Cemetery ...

Note: The GPS location that we are using for the Sims Cemetery can be traced back to the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)<1>

We are using the following GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) for the Sims Cemetery

Lat:   41.6005°   (41° 36' 1")

Lon:   -93.5441°   (-93° 32' 38")

The Sims Cemetery is located in Polk County<2>.

The county seat for Polk County is located in Des Moines. Des Moines lies just to the west of the Sims Cemetery .

List of nearby cemeteries ...

Based on our list of cemeteries, we know of 24 that are within 8 miles [12.9 km]<3> of the Sims Cemetery.<4>

We've listed the following cemeteries based on their distance from Sims Cemetery, with the nearest first.

  • Oak Grove Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oak Grove Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oak Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Oak Grove Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Oakwood Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oakwood Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oakwood Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Oakwood Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Harvey Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
  • Rising Sun Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Rising Sun Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Rising Sun Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Rising Sun Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Avon Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
  • Berwick Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Berwick Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Berwick Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Berwick Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Pinehill Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pinehill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pinehill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Pinehill Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • St. Ambrose Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Ambrose Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Ambrose Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The St. Ambrose Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Emmanuel Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Emmanuel Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Emmanuel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Emmanuel Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Woodland Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
  • Elm Grove Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Elm Grove Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Elm Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Elm Grove Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Stuart Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Stuart Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Stuart Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • The Stuart Cemetery is located in Polk County
  • Continue List   (12 more) ...
    • Highland Memory Gardens
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Highland Memory Gardens
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Highland Memory Gardens have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Highland Memory Gardens is located in Polk County
    • Oak Grove Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oak Grove Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oak Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Oak Grove Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • Ft. Des Moines Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ft. Des Moines Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Ft. Des Moines Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • Canfield Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Canfield Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Canfield Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Canfield Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • New Altoona Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the New Altoona Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the New Altoona Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The New Altoona Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • Altoona Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Altoona Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Altoona Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Altoona Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • Enterprise Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Greenwood Friends Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Greenwood Friends Cemetery
      • The Greenwood Friends Cemetery is located in Polk County
      • The Greenwood Friends Cemetery has also been known as:
      • Greenwood Cemetery
      • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #94948 <5>
    • Oralabor Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oralabor Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oralabor Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Oralabor Cemetery is located in Polk County
    • Glendale Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Glendale Cemetery
      • The Glendale Cemetery is located in Polk County
      • To give a relative sense of its location, the Glendale Cemetery is a very large cemetery that is located in Des Moines.
      • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #94875 <5>
    • Sunset Memorial Gardens
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Sunset Memorial Gardens
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Sunset Memorial Gardens have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Sunset Memorial Gardens is located in Polk County
    • Powers - Warren Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Powers - Warren Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Powers - Warren Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • The Powers - Warren Cemetery is located in Polk County

For an expanded list with details, please visit our List of cemeteries.

List of neighboring communities ...

The following 28 communities are within 10 miles [16.1 km]<3> of the Sims Cemetery.

We've listed the following communities based on their distance from Sims Cemetery, with the nearest first.

  • Country Estate Village
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Country Estate Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Country Estate Village
    • Country Estate Village is located in Polk County
  • Pleasant Hill
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pleasant Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasant Hill
    • Pleasant Hill is located in Polk County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,025 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Pleasant Hill <6>
  • Rising Sun
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Rising Sun. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rising Sun
    • Rising Sun is located in Polk County
  • Des Moines
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
  • Berwick
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Berwick. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berwick
    • Berwick is located in Polk County
  • Altoona
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Altoona have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Altoona
    • Altoona is located in Polk County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 19,503 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Altoona <6>
  • Marquisville
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marquisville
    • Marquisville is located in Polk County
  • Carney
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Carney. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carney
    • Carney is located in Polk County
  • Saylorville
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Saylorville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saylorville
    • Saylorville is located in Polk County
  • Carlisle
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
  • Adelphi
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Adelphi. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Adelphi
    • Adelphi is located in Polk County
  • Bondurant
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bondurant have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bondurant
    • Bondurant is located in Polk County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 7,293 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Bondurant <6>
  • Continue List   (16 more) ...
    • Ankeny
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ankeny have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ankeny
      • Ankeny is located in Polk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 70,068 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ankeny <6>
    • Windsor Heights
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Windsor Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Windsor Heights
      • Windsor Heights is located in Polk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,735 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Windsor Heights <6>
    • Lakewood
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lakewood
      • Lakewood is located in Warren County
    • Norwalk
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Norwalk have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Norwalk
      • Norwalk is located in Polk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 12,449 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Norwalk <6>
    • Mitchellville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mitchellville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mitchellville
      • Mitchellville is located in Polk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,273 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mitchellville <6>
    • Johnston
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Johnston have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Johnston
      • Johnston is located in Polk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 23,092 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Johnston <6>
    • West Des Moines
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Des Moines have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Des Moines
      • West Des Moines is located in Polk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 69,057 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for West Des Moines <6>
    • Orillia
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Orillia. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orillia
      • Orillia is located in Warren County
    • Runnells
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Santiago
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Santiago. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Santiago
      • Santiago is located in Polk County
    • Commerce
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Commerce. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<7>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Commerce
      • Commerce is located in Polk County
    • Palmyra
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Palmyra
      • Palmyra is located in Warren County
    • Hartford
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hartford have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartford
      • Hartford is located in Warren County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 780 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hartford <6>
    • Vandalia
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vandalia
      • Vandalia is located in Jasper County
    • Herrold
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Herrold
      • Herrold is located in Polk County
    • Urbandale
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Urbandale have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Urbandale
      • Urbandale is located in Polk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 44,650 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Urbandale <6>

For the full list of neighboring communities with details, please visit our extended List of Communities.

Nearby communities with newspapers ...

The following communities are those where newspapers have been published and are located in the vicinity of the Sims Cemetery. The following communities are located in Polk County.

More information can be found on our list of Local Newspapers for The Sims Cemetery.

We've listed the following communities alphabetically.

Websites to help with your research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we begin 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 websites are open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that might help with the Sims Cemetery:

Miscellaneous References and Mentions ...

Our approach is to add the name of a cemetery whenever we see it mentioned - usually from newspapers, old books and maps. Typically we have little information to start with, but we continue to add detail as we find it.

We've created the following list to keep track of the sources that we found useful for the Sims Cemetery:

  • Referenced GNIS Record ...
  • GNIS ID #461648  (Sims Cemetery)
    • Note: GNIS record #461648 has been archived by the USGS. It is no longer maintained by the USGS, nor can it be retrieved from their website.
    • Class: cemetery         Map Name: Des Moines SE
    • County: Polk         Elev: 283
    • Location given for GNIS #461648 (Sims Cemetery)

The official website for Polk County: www.co.polk.ia.us/

The official website for State of Iowa: https://www.iowa.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>If you're interested in how the shape of Iowa's counties, including Polk, have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
<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 drawn from Point A (ie- ) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point at the Sims Cemetery. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 41.6005, Longitude: -93.5441       In this case, the coordinates for the Sims Cemetery have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<4>While we have an extensive database of cemeteries (with over 200,000 entries), you can be assured that it's not complete and our list will be missing cemeteries.
<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>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<7>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.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025