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 Richmond (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 Richmond. 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 hospitals and doctors 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.
Richmond 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 Richmond. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Richmond:
- Washington County (The home county of Richmond)
- The following are listed by their distance from Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Kalona
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- Riverside
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Wellman
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
- West Chester
(9 miles [14.5 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
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Nira
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
- Nira is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nira
- Ainsworth
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Havre
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
- Havre is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Havre
- Crawfordsville
(18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
- Coppock
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Coppock is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coppock
- Population from the 2020 Census: 48 people
- Brighton
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Rubio
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Rubio is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rubio
- Cedar County
- The following are listed by their distance from Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Downey
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
- Downey is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Downey
- West Branch
(23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
- Centerdale
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Centerdale is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Centerdale
- Springdale
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Springdale is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springdale
- Cedar Bluff
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Cedar Bluff is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Bluff
- Cedar Valley
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Cedar Valley is located in Cedar County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Valley
- Henry County
- The following are listed by their distance from Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Wayland
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Olds
(23 miles [37 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
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Swedesburg is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Swedesburg
- Winfield
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Iowa County
- The following are listed by their distance from Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Parnell
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- North English
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Williamsburg
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Conroy
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Conroy is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conroy
- Amana
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Millersburg
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
- Millersburg is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millersburg
- Population from the 2020 Census: 139 people
- Middle Amana
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- South Amana
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- West Amana
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- West Amana is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Amana
- Ambrose
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Ambrose is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ambrose
- Marengo
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Jefferson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Pleasant Plain
(22 miles [35.4 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
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Perlee is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Perlee
- Packwood
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Packwood is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Packwood
- Population from the 2020 Census: 225 people
- Linby
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Linby is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Linby
- Johnson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Amish
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
- Amish is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Amish
- Frytown
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Frytown is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frytown
- Williamstown
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Williamstown is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Williamstown
- 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
- Windham
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Windham is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Windham
- Hills
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
- Cosgrove
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Cosgrove is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cosgrove
- Lone Tree
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
- University Heights
(15 miles [24.1 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
- Iowa City
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- Coralville
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
- Tiffin
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
- Keokuk County
- The following are listed by their distance from Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Keota
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Kinross
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- Kinross is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kinross
- Population from the 2020 Census: 71 people
- Talleyrand
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
- Talleyrand is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Talleyrand
- Harper
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Harper is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harper
- Population from the 2020 Census: 107 people
- 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
- Richland
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- 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
- Ollie
(26 miles [41.8 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
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Aurora
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Aurora is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aurora
- Keswick
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Nugent
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Nugent is located in Keokuk County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nugent
- Linn County
- The following are listed by their distance from Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Western
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Western is located in Linn County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Western
- Ely
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Walford
(30 miles [48.3 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
- Louisa County
- The following are listed by their distance from Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Gladwin
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
- Gladwin is located in Louisa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gladwin
- Cotter
(16 miles [25.7 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
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
- Columbus City
(21 miles [33.8 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
(21 miles [33.8 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
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Wyman is located in Louisa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wyman
- Letts
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- Grandview
(28 miles [45.1 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 Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Conesville
(18 miles [29 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
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Atalissa
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Fruitland
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Fruitland is located in Muscatine County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fruitland
- Population from the 2020 Census: 966 people
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Richmond, see our County-by-County Page for Richmond.
Cemeteries Near Richmond ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Richmond.
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 Richmond - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Richmond covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Richmond Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the east)
- Holy Trinity Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the east)
- Snider Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Middleburg Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- Sharon Hill Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Pilot Grove Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Pleasant Plain Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Gingerich Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- St. Vincent Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Coffman Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
- Grand Prairie Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Locust Grove Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Continue List (394 more) ...
- Brenneman Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Peter Miller Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- East Union Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
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>
The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Richmond had a population of 362 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Richmond, with the one closest to Richmond listed first.
- Kalona
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- Lexington
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
- Lexington is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lexington
- Riverside
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Amish
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
- Amish is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Amish
- Wellman
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
- 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
- Sharon Center
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Sharon Center is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sharon Center
- West Chester
(9 miles [14.5 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
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- 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
- Windham
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Windham is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Windham
- Green Center
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Green Center is located in Iowa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Center
- Continue List (16 more) ...
- Nira
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
- Nira is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nira
- Ainsworth
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Cosgrove
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Cosgrove is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cosgrove
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Richmond. See our List of 1890's Communities around Richmond.
Newspapers Published in Richmond ...
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 192 newspapers that have been published in the area around Richmond.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Richmond, 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 Richmond.
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 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 Richmond:
- Websites specific to Iowa
- Pages specific to Washington County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- 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> | 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 Richmond, 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 drawn from Point A (ie- Richmond) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |