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 Kalona (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 Kalona. 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 southeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors were in the next county to the east. 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 east 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.
Kalona is located in Washington 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 Washington County: Henry, Iowa, Jefferson, Johnson, Keokuk & Louisa.
Below are the counties that are near Kalona. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Kalona:
- Washington County (The home county of Kalona)
- The following are listed by their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Riverside
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Wellman
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- West Chester
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- West Chester is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Chester
- Population from the 2020 Census: 147 people
- Nira
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
- Nira is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nira
- Washington
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
- Ainsworth
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
- Havre
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Havre is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Havre
- Crawfordsville
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
- Brighton
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Coppock
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Coppock is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coppock
- Population from the 2020 Census: 48 people
- Rubio
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Rubio is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rubio
- Benton County
- Norway
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
- Cedar County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Downey
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Downey is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Downey
- Centerdale
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Centerdale is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Centerdale
- West Branch
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Springdale
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Springdale is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springdale
- Cedar Bluff
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Cedar Bluff is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Bluff
- Cedar Valley
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Cedar Valley is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Valley
- Buchanan
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Buchanan is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buchanan
- Rochester
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Rochester is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rochester
- Henry County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Wayland
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Olds
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Olds is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Olds
- Population from the 2020 Census: 222 people
- Swedesburg
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
- Swedesburg is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Swedesburg
- Winfield
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Iowa County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Parnell
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
- North English
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Williamsburg
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Conroy
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Conroy is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conroy
- Amana
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- Middle Amana
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- South Amana
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Millersburg
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Millersburg is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millersburg
- Population from the 2020 Census: 139 people
- West Amana
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- West Amana is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Amana
- Ambrose
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Ambrose is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ambrose
- Marengo
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Jefferson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Pleasant Plain
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Pleasant Plain is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasant Plain
- Population from the 2020 Census: 98 people
- Perlee
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Perlee is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Perlee
- Johnson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Frytown
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Frytown is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frytown
- Amish
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Amish is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Amish
- Williamstown
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- Williamstown is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Williamstown
- Windham
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Windham is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Windham
- Hills
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- River Junction
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- River Junction is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for River Junction
- Cosgrove
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Cosgrove is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cosgrove
- University Heights
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
- University Heights is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for University Heights
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,025 people
- Lone Tree
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
- Iowa City
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
- Coralville
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- Oakdale
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- Oakdale is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakdale
- Keokuk County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Kinross
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
- Kinross is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kinross
- Population from the 2020 Census: 71 people
- Keota
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
- Harper
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Harper is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harper
- Population from the 2020 Census: 107 people
- Talleyrand
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Talleyrand is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Talleyrand
- South English
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- South English is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South English
- Population from the 2020 Census: 211 people
- Webster
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Webster is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Webster
- Population from the 2020 Census: 71 people
- Richland
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Aurora
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Aurora is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aurora
- Keswick
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Ollie
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Ollie is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ollie
- Population from the 2020 Census: 207 people
- Sigourney
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Linn County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Western
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
- Western is located in Linn County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Western
- Ely
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Walford
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Walford is located in Linn County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walford
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,436 people
- Fairfax
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
- Lincolnway Village
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
- Lincolnway Village is located in Linn County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lincolnway Village
- Louisa County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Gladwin
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
- Gladwin is located in Louisa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gladwin
- Cotter
(18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
- Cotter is located in Louisa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cotter
- Population from the 2020 Census: 42 people
- Columbus Junction
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Columbus City
(23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
- Columbus City is located in Louisa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Columbus City
- Population from the 2020 Census: 371 people
- Fredonia
(23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
- Fredonia is located in Louisa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fredonia
- Population from the 2020 Census: 220 people
- Wyman
(23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
- Wyman is located in Louisa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wyman
- Letts
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Grandview
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Grandview is located in Louisa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grandview
- Population from the 2020 Census: 519 people
- Muscatine County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Conesville
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
- Conesville is located in Muscatine County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conesville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 427 people
- Nichols
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Nichols is located in Muscatine County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nichols
- Population from the 2020 Census: 358 people
- West Liberty
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Atalissa
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Kalona, see our County-by-County Page for Kalona.
Cemeteries Near Kalona ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Kalona.
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 Kalona - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Kalona covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Sharon Hill Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Gingerich Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Snider Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Richmond Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
- Holy Trinity Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Middleburg Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
- Peter Miller Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
- East Union Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- Coffman Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
- Fairview Mennonite Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Brenneman Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- North Gingerich Sharon Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Continue List (384 more) ...
- Haven Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Hochstetler Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
- St. Vincent Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 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 Kalona had a population of 211 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Kalona had a population of 2,560 people.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Kalona, with the one closest to Kalona listed first.
- Richmond
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
- Richmond is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Richmond
- Amish
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Amish is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Amish
- Wellman
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Riverside
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Sharon Center
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- Sharon Center is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sharon Center
- Lexington
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Lexington is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lexington
- Windham
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Windham is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Windham
- Iowa Junction ‑ Historic
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Iowa Junction is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Iowa Junction
- River Junction
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- River Junction is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for River Junction
- Green Center
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Green Center is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Center
- Cosgrove
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Cosgrove is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cosgrove
- Nira
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
- Nira is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nira
- Continue List (15 more) ...
- West Chester
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- West Chester is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Chester
- Population from the 2020 Census: 147 people
- Washington
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
- Holbrook
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
- Holbrook is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holbrook
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Kalona. See our List of 1890's Communities around Kalona.
Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Kalona ...
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 206 newspapers that have been published in the area around Kalona.
We have organized these newspapers into two lists:
- A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Kalona. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Kalona and those printed in the larger area surrounding Kalona.
- An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<3> of Kalona.
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 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 Kalona:
- Websites specific to Iowa
- Pages specific to Washington County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Benton County
- Cedar County
- Henry County
- Iowa County
- Jefferson County
- Johnson County
- Keokuk County
- Linn County
- Louisa County
- Muscatine 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 '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- Kalona) 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 Kalona, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |