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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 Ryan (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 Ryan. 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.

Ryan is located in Delaware County.

To see how the shape of Iowa's counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Delaware County: Buchanan, Clayton, Dubuque, Fayette, Jones & Linn.

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

  • Delaware County     (The home county of Ryan)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ryan, with the one closest to Ryan listed first.
    • Golden
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Golden. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Golden
      • Golden is located in Delaware County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Golden
      • From Ryan to Golden
    • Robinson
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
    • Manchester
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
    • Delhi
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Delhi have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delhi
      • Delhi is located in Delaware County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 470 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Delhi <2>
    • Masonville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Delaware
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Delaware have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delaware
      • Delaware is located in Delaware County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 149 people
    • Hopkinton
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Earlville
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Oneida
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Oneida have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oneida
      • Oneida is located in Delaware County
    • Dundee
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dundee have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dundee
      • Dundee is located in Delaware County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 158 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Dundee <2>
    • Almoral
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Almoral. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Almoral
      • Almoral is located in Delaware County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Almoral
      • From Ryan to Almoral
    • Forestville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
  • Benton County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ryan, with the one closest to Ryan listed first.
    • Spencers Grove
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
    • Urbana
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Urbana have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Urbana
      • Urbana is located in Benton County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,498 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Urbana <2>
    • Benton City ‑ Historic
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Benton City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Benton City
      • Benton City is located in Benton County
    • Shellsburg
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Vinton
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
  • Black Hawk County
    • Jesup
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jesup have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jesup
      • Jesup is located in Black Hawk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,711 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Jesup <2>
  • Buchanan County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ryan, with the one closest to Ryan listed first.
    • Monti
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Quasqueton
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
    • Winthrop
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Doris
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Doris. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Doris
      • Doris is located in Buchanan County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Doris
      • From Ryan to Doris
    • Lamont
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lamont have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lamont
      • Lamont is located in Buchanan County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 456 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lamont <2>
    • Rowley
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
    • Aurora
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Aurora have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aurora
      • Aurora is located in Buchanan County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 162 people
    • Independence
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
    • Stanley
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stanley have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stanley
      • Stanley is located in Buchanan County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 120 people
    • Brandon
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
    • Hazleton
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Shady Grove
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Shady Grove. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shady Grove
      • Shady Grove is located in Buchanan County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Shady Grove
      • From Ryan to Shady Grove
  • Clayton County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ryan, with the one closest to Ryan listed first.
    • Wood
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
    • Strawberry Point
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
    • Elkport
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Elkport have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elkport
      • Elkport is located in Clayton County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 36 people
    • Littleport
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Littleport have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Littleport
      • Littleport is located in Clayton County
    • Mederville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
    • Garber
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Garber. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garber
      • Garber is located in Clayton County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 86 people
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Garber
      • From Ryan to Garber
    • Osborne
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
  • Dubuque County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ryan, with the one closest to Ryan listed first.
    • Worthington
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
    • Dyersville
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dyersville have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dyersville
      • Dyersville is located in Dubuque County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,441 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Dyersville <2>
    • Summit Village Dyersville Park
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Summit Village Dyersville Park have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summit Village Dyersville Park
      • Summit Village Dyersville Park is located in Dubuque County
    • New Vienna
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
    • Cascade
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
    • Farley
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
    • Luxemburg
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Luxemburg have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Luxemburg
      • Luxemburg is located in Dubuque County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 247 people
    • Epworth
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Epworth have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Epworth
      • Epworth is located in Dubuque County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,022 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Epworth <2>
    • Fillmore
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
    • Bankston
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bankston have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bankston
      • Bankston is located in Dubuque County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 27 people
    • Holy Cross
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Holy Cross have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holy Cross
      • Holy Cross is located in Dubuque County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 370 people
  • Fayette County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ryan, with the one closest to Ryan listed first.
    • Maryville
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
    • Arlington
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Arlington have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arlington
      • Arlington is located in Fayette County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 393 people
  • Jones County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ryan, with the one closest to Ryan listed first.
    • Argand
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Argand. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Argand
      • Argand is located in Jones County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Argand
      • From Ryan to Argand
    • Langworthy
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Langworthy. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Langworthy
      • Langworthy is located in Jones County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Langworthy
      • From Ryan to Langworthy
    • Monticello
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Monticello have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monticello
      • Monticello is located in Jones County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,873 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Monticello <2>
    • Stone City
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Anamosa
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Anamosa have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Anamosa
      • Anamosa is located in Jones County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,545 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Anamosa <2>
    • Fairview
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Amber
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Martelle
      (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
    • Center Junction
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Center Junction have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Center Junction
      • Center Junction is located in Jones County
      • Estimated population in 2015: 111 people
    • Morley
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Clay Mills
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clay Mills have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clay Mills
      • Clay Mills is located in Jones County
    • Olin
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Olin have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Olin
      • Olin is located in Jones County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 683 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Olin <2>
  • Linn County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ryan, with the one closest to Ryan listed first.
    • Coggon
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Prairieburg
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Paris ‑ Historic
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Paris. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paris
      • Paris is located in Linn County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Paris
      • From Ryan to Paris
    • Central City
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • Troy Mills
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
    • Alburnett
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Walker
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
    • Lafayette
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Lafayette. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lafayette
      • Lafayette is located in Linn County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Lafayette
      • From Ryan to Lafayette
    • Viola
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Center Point
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Center Point have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Center Point
      • Center Point is located in Linn County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,560 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Center Point <2>
    • Springville
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
    • Robins
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Robins have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Robins
      • Robins is located in Linn County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,570 people

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

Cemeteries Near Ryan ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Ryan.

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.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

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

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

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.<6>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that in 1895, Ryan had a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Ryan had a population of 343 people.

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

  • Golden
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Golden. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Golden
    • Golden is located in Delaware County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Golden
    • From Ryan to Golden
  • Ehler
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ehler have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ehler
    • Ehler is located in Delaware County
  • Coggon
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
  • Prairieburg
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
  • Argand
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Argand. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Argand
    • Argand is located in Jones County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Argand
    • From Ryan to Argand
  • Monti
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
  • Paris ‑ Historic
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Paris. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paris
    • Paris is located in Linn County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Paris
    • From Ryan to Paris
  • Delhi
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Delhi have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delhi
    • Delhi is located in Delaware County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 470 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Delhi <2>
  • Manchester
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
  • Troy Mills
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
  • Central City
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
  • Castle Grove
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Castle Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Castle Grove
    • Castle Grove is located in Jones County
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Masonville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Delaware
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Delaware have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delaware
      • Delaware is located in Delaware County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 149 people
    • Waubeek
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Waubeek have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Waubeek
      • Waubeek is located in Linn County

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

Newspapers Published in Ryan ...

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 76 newspapers that have been published in the area around Ryan.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Ryan, there are papers which were published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<5>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Ryan.

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 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 Ryan:

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Ryan. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for State of Iowa: https://www.iowa.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<2>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<4>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.
<5>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or 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- Ryan) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Ryan. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 42.3504, Longitude: -91.4825    
<6>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 Ryan, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025