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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 Eden (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 Eden. 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 southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors were in the next county to the west. 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 west 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.

Eden is located in Benton 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 Benton County: Black Hawk, Buchanan, Iowa, Johnson, Linn, Poweshiek & Tama.

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

  • Benton County     (The home county of Eden)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Eden, with the one closest to Eden listed first.
    • Benton City ‑ Historic
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Benton City is located in Benton County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Benton City
    • Vinton
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Shellsburg
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Newhall
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Urbana
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Atkins
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Van Horne
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Van Horne is located in Benton County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Van Horne
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 646 people
    • Garrison
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
      • Garrison is located in Benton County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garrison
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 355 people
    • Mount Auburn
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Mount Auburn is located in Benton County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Auburn
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 144 people
    • Spencers Grove
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
      • Spencers Grove is located in Benton County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spencers Grove
    • Keystone
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Norway
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
  • Black Hawk County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Eden, with the one closest to Eden listed first.
    • La Porte City
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
    • Jubilee
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Jubilee is located in Black Hawk County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jubilee
    • Gilbertville
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Gilbertville is located in Black Hawk County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gilbertville
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 725 people
    • Jesup
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Jesup is located in Black Hawk County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jesup
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,711 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Jesup <1>
    • Eagle Center
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Eagle Center is located in Black Hawk County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eagle Center
    • Raymond
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Raymond is located in Black Hawk County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Raymond
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 788 people
    • Blessing
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Blessing is located in Black Hawk County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blessing
    • Elk Run Heights
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Elk Run Heights is located in Black Hawk County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elk Run Heights
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,135 people
    • Evansdale
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Voorhies
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Voorhies is located in Black Hawk County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Voorhies
  • Buchanan County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Eden, with the one closest to Eden listed first.
    • Brandon
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
      • Brandon is located in Buchanan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brandon
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 320 people
    • Hamerville
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
      • Hamerville is located in Buchanan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hamerville
    • Rowley
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Shady Grove
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
      • Shady Grove is located in Buchanan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shady Grove
    • Quasqueton
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Independence
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
    • Monti
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Monti is located in Buchanan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monti
    • Doris
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Doris is located in Buchanan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Doris
    • Winthrop
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Winthrop is located in Buchanan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Winthrop
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 848 people
  • Delaware County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Eden, with the one closest to Eden listed first.
    • Robinson
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Robinson is located in Delaware County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Robinson
    • Ehler
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Ehler is located in Delaware County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ehler
    • Ryan
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Ryan is located in Delaware County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ryan
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 343 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ryan <1>
  • Iowa County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Eden, with the one closest to Eden listed first.
    • West Amana
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • West Amana is located in Iowa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Amana
    • Dayton
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Dayton is located in Iowa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dayton
    • Amana
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Middle Amana
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Marengo
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
    • South Amana
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
    • Conroy
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Conroy is located in Iowa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conroy
    • Ladora
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Williamsburg
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
  • Johnson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Eden, with the one closest to Eden listed first.
    • Swisher
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
    • Shueyville
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Shueyville is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shueyville
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 655 people
    • Cou Falls
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Cou Falls is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cou Falls
    • Oxford
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
  • Linn County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Eden, with the one closest to Eden listed first.
    • Palo
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Center Point
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Toddville
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Covington
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Covington is located in Linn County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Covington
    • Hiawatha
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
    • Lafayette
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
      • Lafayette is located in Linn County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lafayette
    • Robins
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
      • Robins is located in Linn County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Robins
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,570 people
    • Sunset Village
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
      • Sunset Village is located in Linn County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunset Village
    • Walker
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Walker is located in Linn County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walker
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 782 people
    • Cedar Hills
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Cedar Hills is located in Linn County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Hills
    • Grand View Village
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Grand View Village is located in Linn County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grand View Village
    • Fairfax
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
  • Poweshiek County
    • Hartwick
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Hartwick is located in Poweshiek County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartwick
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 81 people
  • Tama County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Eden, with the one closest to Eden listed first.
    • Dysart
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
    • Elberon
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
    • Clutier
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
    • Vining
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Vining is located in Tama County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vining
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 49 people
    • Chelsea
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Traer
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
    • Buckingham
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Buckingham is located in Tama County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buckingham
    • Long Point
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Long Point is located in Tama County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Long Point
    • Gladstone
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Gladstone is located in Tama County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gladstone

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

Cemeteries Near Eden ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Eden.

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 Eden - one of the links might be able to help.

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Eden covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

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

  • East Eden Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
  • First Eden Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
  • United Brethren Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
  • Plum Grove Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
  • Bellar Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
  • Oakwood Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • Shellsburg Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • Evergreen Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
  • Pettit Hill Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
  • Parkers Grove Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
  • Maplewood Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
  • St. Marys Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
  • Continue List   (265 more) ...
    • Fix Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • McBroom Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Cox Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)

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.<3>

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

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

  • Vinton
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
  • Shellsburg
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
  • Newhall
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
  • Van Horne
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Van Horne is located in Benton County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Van Horne
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 646 people
  • Atkins
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
  • Palo
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
  • Garrison
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Garrison is located in Benton County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garrison
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 355 people
  • Center Point
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
  • Covington
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Covington is located in Linn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Covington
  • Toddville
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
  • Mount Auburn
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Mount Auburn is located in Benton County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Auburn
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 144 people
  • Keystone
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
  • Continue List   (13 more) ...
    • Norway
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
    • Brandon
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
      • Brandon is located in Buchanan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brandon
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 320 people
    • Blairstown
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)

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

Newspapers Published in Eden ...

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 152 newspapers that have been published in the area around Eden.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Eden, 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 Eden.

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 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 Eden:

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>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 Eden, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<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- Eden) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.