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 Kensett (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 Kensett. 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.
Kensett is located in Worth 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 Worth County: Cerro Gordo, Mitchell, Winnebago, Freeborn (MN) & Mower (MN).
Below are the counties that are near Kensett. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Kensett:
- Worth County (The home county of Kensett)
- The following are listed by their distance from Kensett, with the one closest to Kensett listed first.
- Bolan
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Bolan is located in Worth County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bolan
- Manly
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Northwood
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- Grafton
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Hanlontown
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
- Hanlontown is located in Worth County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hanlontown
- Population from the 2020 Census: 220 people
- Silver Lake
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Silver Lake is located in Worth County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Silver Lake
- Fertile
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
- Joice
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- Joice is located in Worth County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Joice
- Population from the 2020 Census: 209 people
- Bristol
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- Bristol is located in Worth County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bristol
- Cerro Gordo County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kensett, with the one closest to Kensett listed first.
- Plymouth
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Plymouth is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plymouth
- Population from the 2020 Census: 361 people
- Plymouth Junction
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Plymouth Junction is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plymouth Junction
- Creamery
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Creamery is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Creamery
- Rock Falls
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- Rock Falls is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Falls
- Population from the 2020 Census: 146 people
- Mason City
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
- Mason City Junction
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Mason City Junction is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mason City Junction
- Portland
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Portland is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Portland
- Clear Lake
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
- Cameron
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Cameron is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cameron
- Burchinal
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Burchinal is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burchinal
- Ventura
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Cartersville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Cartersville is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cartersville
- Rockwell
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Floyd County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kensett, with the one closest to Kensett listed first.
- Nora Springs
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
- Rudd
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Rockford
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Floyd
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Hancock County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kensett, with the one closest to Kensett listed first.
- Garner
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Duncan
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Duncan is located in Hancock County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Duncan
- Klemme
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Crystal Lake
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Crystal Lake is located in Hancock County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crystal Lake
- Population from the 2020 Census: 228 people
- Mitchell County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kensett, with the one closest to Kensett listed first.
- Carpenter
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Carpenter is located in Mitchell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carpenter
- Population from the 2020 Census: 108 people
- Saint Ansgar
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
- Rock Creek
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
- Rock Creek is located in Mitchell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Creek
- Mitchell
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
- Mitchell is located in Mitchell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mitchell
- Population from the 2020 Census: 128 people
- Toeterville
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
- Osage
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Stacyville
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- Stacyville is located in Mitchell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stacyville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 466 people
- Orchard
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Orchard is located in Mitchell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orchard
- Population from the 2020 Census: 71 people
- Little Cedar
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Little Cedar is located in Mitchell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Little Cedar
- Meyer
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Meyer is located in Mitchell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meyer
- New Haven
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- New Haven is located in Mitchell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Haven
- Winnebago County
- The following are listed by their distance from Kensett, with the one closest to Kensett listed first.
- Lake Mills
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
- Leland
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Leland is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leland
- Population from the 2020 Census: 268 people
- Scarville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Forest City
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
- Vinje
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Vinje is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vinje
- Thompson
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Faribault County (MN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Kensett, with the one closest to Kensett listed first.
- Kiester
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Walters
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Walters is located in Faribault County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walters
- Population from the 2020 Census: 67 people
- Freeborn County (MN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Kensett, with the one closest to Kensett listed first.
- London
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
- London is located in Freeborn County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for London
- Myrtle
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
- Myrtle is located in Freeborn County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Myrtle
- Population from the 2020 Census: 46 people
- Glenville
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- Emmons
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
- Emmons is located in Freeborn County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emmons
- Population from the 2020 Census: 380 people
- Twin Lakes
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
- Twin Lakes is located in Freeborn County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Twin Lakes
- Population from the 2020 Census: 149 people
- Hayward
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Albert Lea
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Oakland
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Oakland is located in Freeborn County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakland
- Conger
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Conger is located in Freeborn County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conger
- Population from the 2020 Census: 144 people
- Clarks Grove
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Hollandale
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Alden
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Manchester
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Manchester is located in Freeborn County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manchester
- Population from the 2020 Census: 55 people
- Mower County (MN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Kensett, with the one closest to Kensett listed first.
- Lyle
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Varco
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
- Varco is located in Mower County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Varco
- Austin
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Johnsburg
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Johnsburg is located in Mower County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Johnsburg
- Rose Creek
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Mapleview
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Mapleview is located in Mower County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mapleview
- Population from the 2020 Census: 177 people
- Adams
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Lansing
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Lansing is located in Mower County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lansing
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Kensett, see our County-by-County Page for Kensett.
Cemeteries Near Kensett ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Kensett.
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 Kensett - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Kensett covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Kensett, with the one closest to Kensett listed first.
- Kensett Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the east)
- Brystol Farm Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
- Overholt Family Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
- Slosson Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- Elk Grove Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
- Benjegerdes Family Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- Manly Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Sacred Heart Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Elk Creek #1 Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
- Elk Creek #2 Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Elk Creek Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Trebilcock Family Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Continue List (194 more) ...
- Grandview Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- South Shell Rock Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- Wise Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
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.<2>
The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Kensett had a population of 144 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Kensett had a population of 249 people.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Kensett, with the one closest to Kensett listed first.
- Manly
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Bolan
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Bolan is located in Worth County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bolan
- Northwood
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- Grafton
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Plymouth
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Plymouth is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plymouth
- Population from the 2020 Census: 361 people
- Plymouth Junction
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Plymouth Junction is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plymouth Junction
- Creamery
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Creamery is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Creamery
- Carpenter
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Carpenter is located in Mitchell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carpenter
- Population from the 2020 Census: 108 people
- Deer Creek
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Deer Creek is located in Worth County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deer Creek
- Somber
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
- Somber is located in Worth County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Somber
- Gordonsville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Gordonsville is located in Freeborn County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gordonsville
- Rock Falls
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- Rock Falls is located in Cerro Gordo County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Falls
- Population from the 2020 Census: 146 people
- Continue List (16 more) ...
- Meltonville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
- Meltonville is located in Worth County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meltonville
- Silver Lake
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Silver Lake is located in Worth County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Silver Lake
- Fertile
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Kensett. See our List of 1890's Communities around Kensett.
Newspapers Published in Kensett ...
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 128 newspapers that have been published in the area around Kensett.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Kensett, there are papers which were published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Kensett.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we like to start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These professional and volunteer 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 Kensett:
- Websites specific to Iowa
- Pages specific to Worth County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Cerro Gordo County
- Floyd County
- Hancock County
- Mitchell County
- Winnebago County
- Faribault County
- Freeborn County
- Mower 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> | 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 Kensett, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <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- Kensett) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |