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 Neska (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 Neska. 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 hospitals and 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.
Neska is located in Mahaska 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 Mahaska County: Jasper, Keokuk, Marion, Monroe, Poweshiek & Wapello.
Below are the counties that are near Neska. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Neska:
- Mahaska County (The home county of Neska)
- The following are listed by their distance from Neska, with the one closest to Neska listed first.
- Indianapolis
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Indianapolis is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indianapolis
- Union Mills
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
- Union Mills is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union Mills
- Rose Hill
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Rose Hill is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rose Hill
- Population from the 2020 Census: 161 people
- Lacey
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Lacey is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lacey
- Barnes City
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- New Sharon
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Keomah Village
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
- Keomah Village is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Keomah Village
- Population from the 2020 Census: 99 people
- Exeelsior
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Exeelsior is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Exeelsior
- Wright
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Wright is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wright
- Oskaloosa
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- University Park
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- University Park is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for University Park
- Population from the 2020 Census: 468 people
- Beacon
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
- Beacon is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beacon
- Population from the 2020 Census: 488 people
- Iowa County
- The following are listed by their distance from Neska, with the one closest to Neska listed first.
- Ambrose
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- Ambrose is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ambrose
- Millersburg
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
- Millersburg is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millersburg
- Population from the 2020 Census: 139 people
- North English
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Parnell
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Ladora
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Jasper County
- The following are listed by their distance from Neska, with the one closest to Neska listed first.
- Lynnville
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Sully
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Galesburg
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Galesburg is located in Jasper County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Galesburg
- Killduff
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Killduff is located in Jasper County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Killduff
- Oakland Acres
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- Oakland Acres is located in Jasper County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakland Acres
- Population from the 2020 Census: 161 people
- Reasnor
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Reasnor is located in Jasper County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reasnor
- Population from the 2020 Census: 156 people
- Kellogg
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Jefferson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Neska, with the one closest to Neska listed first.
- Pekin
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Pekin is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pekin
- Linby
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Linby is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Linby
- Abingdon
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Abingdon is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Abingdon
- Packwood
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Packwood is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Packwood
- Population from the 2020 Census: 225 people
- Keokuk County
- The following are listed by their distance from Neska, with the one closest to Neska listed first.
- Coal Creek
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Coal Creek is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coal Creek
- What Cheer
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Gibson
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Gibson is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gibson
- Population from the 2020 Census: 59 people
- Thornburg
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Thornburg is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thornburg
- Population from the 2020 Census: 67 people
- Delta
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- Delta is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delta
- Population from the 2020 Census: 313 people
- Keswick
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
- Aurora
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
- Aurora is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aurora
- Sigourney
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
- Hayesville
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
- Hayesville is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hayesville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 48 people
- Webster
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
- Webster is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Webster
- Population from the 2020 Census: 71 people
- Hedrick
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Hedrick is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hedrick
- Population from the 2020 Census: 743 people
- Martinsburg
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
- Martinsburg is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Martinsburg
- Population from the 2020 Census: 107 people
- Marion County
- The following are listed by their distance from Neska, with the one closest to Neska listed first.
- Tracy
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Tracy is located in Marion County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tracy
- Pella
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Harvey
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
- Harvey is located in Marion County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harvey
- Population from the 2020 Census: 243 people
- Bussey
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Bussey is located in Marion County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bussey
- Population from the 2020 Census: 406 people
- Howell ‑ Historic
(23 miles [37 km] to the west)
- Howell is located in Marion County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Howell
- Hamilton
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Hamilton is located in Marion County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hamilton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 135 people
- Marysville
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Marysville is located in Marion County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marysville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 68 people
- Otley
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Pershing
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Pershing is located in Marion County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pershing
- Attica
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Attica is located in Marion County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Attica
- Indiana
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Indiana is located in Marion County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indiana
- Cordova
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Cordova is located in Marion County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cordova
- Monroe County
- The following are listed by their distance from Neska, with the one closest to Neska listed first.
- Avery
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Avery is located in Monroe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avery
- Bluff Creek
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Bluff Creek is located in Monroe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bluff Creek
- Lovilia
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Albia
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Poweshiek County
- The following are listed by their distance from Neska, with the one closest to Neska listed first.
- Tilton
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Tilton is located in Poweshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tilton
- Montezuma
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
- Deep River
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
- Deep River is located in Poweshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deep River
- Population from the 2020 Census: 268 people
- Searsboro
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
- Searsboro is located in Poweshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Searsboro
- Population from the 2020 Census: 145 people
- Guernsey
(18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
- Malcom
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Brooklyn
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Victor
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Grinnell
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- Hartwick
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Hartwick is located in Poweshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartwick
- Population from the 2020 Census: 81 people
- Sheridan
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Sheridan is located in Poweshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sheridan
- Wapello County
- The following are listed by their distance from Neska, with the one closest to Neska listed first.
- Eddyville
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Kirkville
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Kirkville is located in Wapello County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kirkville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 177 people
- Highland Center
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Highland Center is located in Wapello County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Highland Center
- Chillicothe
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Chillicothe is located in Wapello County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chillicothe
- Population from the 2020 Census: 97 people
- Dudley
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Dudley is located in Wapello County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dudley
- Keb ‑ Historic
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Keb is located in Wapello County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Keb
- Competine
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Competine is located in Wapello County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Competine
- Dahlonega
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Dahlonega is located in Wapello County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dahlonega
- Bidwell
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Bidwell is located in Wapello County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bidwell
- Ottumwa
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
- East Ottumwa
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- East Ottumwa is located in Wapello County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Ottumwa
- Agency
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
- Washington County
- Nira
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Nira is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nira
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Neska, see our County-by-County Page for Neska.
Cemeteries Near Neska ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Neska.
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 Neska - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Neska covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Neska, with the one closest to Neska listed first.
- Mormon Point Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the north)
- Roberts Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
- Tinsley Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Bedwell Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bedwell Cemetery
- To give a relative sense of its location, the Bedwell Cemetery is located 3 miles [4.8 km]<2> to the north of Rose Hill.
- Indianapolis Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
- Union Mills Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- Wymore Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Woods Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Tilford Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Hopewell Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Old Rose Hill Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Jackson Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Continue List (353 more) ...
- Rice Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Barnes City Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barnes City Cemetery
- To give a relative sense of its location, the Barnes City Cemetery is located outside and to the southwest of Barnes City.
- Waddell Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 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.<3>
While we didn't find Neska in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Neska.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Neska, with the one closest to Neska listed first.
- Indianapolis
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Indianapolis is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indianapolis
- Union Mills
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
- Union Mills is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union Mills
- Rose Hill
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Rose Hill is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rose Hill
- Population from the 2020 Census: 161 people
- Coal Creek
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Coal Creek is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coal Creek
- Lacey
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Lacey is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lacey
- Barnes City
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Atwood
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Atwood is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Atwood
- What Cheer
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- New Sharon
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Tioga
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Tioga is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tioga
- Thornburg
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Thornburg is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thornburg
- Population from the 2020 Census: 67 people
- Oskaloosa
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Continue List (15 more) ...
- Wright
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Wright is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wright
- Exeelsior
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Exeelsior is located in Mahaska County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Exeelsior
- Tilton
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Tilton is located in Poweshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tilton
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Neska. See our List of 1890's Communities around Neska.
Newspapers Published in Neska ...
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 61 newspapers that have been published in the area around Neska.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Neska, there are papers which were published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<2>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Neska.
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 helpful 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 Neska:
- Websites specific to Iowa
- Pages specific to Mahaska County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Iowa County
- Jasper County
- Jefferson County
- Keokuk County
- Marion County
- Monroe County
- Poweshiek County
- Wapello County
- Washington 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> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Neska) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |
| <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 Neska, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |