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 Springwater (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 Springwater. 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 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.
Springwater is located in Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek County: Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, Fillmore (MN) & Houston (MN).
Below are the counties that are near Springwater. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Springwater:
- Winneshiek County (The home county of Springwater)
- The following are listed by their distance from Springwater, with the one closest to Springwater listed first.
- Highlandville
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Highlandville is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Highlandville
- Decorah
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Hesper
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Hesper is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hesper
- Burr Oak
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Bluffton
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
- Bluffton is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bluffton
- Ridgeway
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
- Frankville
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
- Frankville is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frankville
- Calmar
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
- Kendallville
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- Kendallville is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kendallville
- Ossian
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Spillville
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Castalia
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Castalia is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Castalia
- Population from the 2020 Census: 156 people
- Allamakee County
- The following are listed by their distance from Springwater, with the one closest to Springwater listed first.
- Quandahl
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Quandahl is located in Allamakee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quandahl
- Dorchester
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
- Waukon
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
- Lycurgus
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
- Lycurgus is located in Allamakee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lycurgus
- Elon
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- Elon is located in Allamakee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elon
- Postville
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Rossville
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Rossville is located in Allamakee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rossville
- Dalby
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Dalby is located in Allamakee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dalby
- New Albin
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Volney
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Volney is located in Allamakee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Volney
- Waterville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Waterville is located in Allamakee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Waterville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 142 people
- Lansing
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Chickasaw County
- The following are listed by their distance from Springwater, with the one closest to Springwater listed first.
- Jerico
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Jerico is located in Chickasaw County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jerico
- Lawler
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Clayton County
- The following are listed by their distance from Springwater, with the one closest to Springwater listed first.
- Hardin
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Hardin is located in Clayton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hardin
- Luana
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Monona
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Watson
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Watson is located in Clayton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Watson
- Gunder
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Gunder is located in Clayton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gunder
- Fayette County
- The following are listed by their distance from Springwater, with the one closest to Springwater listed first.
- Saint Lucas
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Saint Lucas is located in Fayette County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Lucas
- Population from the 2020 Census: 134 people
- Clermont
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Douglass
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Douglass is located in Fayette County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Douglass
- Waucoma
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Elgin
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- West Union
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Alpha
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Alpha is located in Fayette County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alpha
- Howard County
- The following are listed by their distance from Springwater, with the one closest to Springwater listed first.
- Cresco
(18 miles [29 km] to the west)
- Vernon Springs
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Vernon Springs is located in Howard County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vernon Springs
- Protivin
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Florenceville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
- Florenceville is located in Howard County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Florenceville
- Forest City ‑ Historic
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
- Forest City is located in Howard County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest City
- Davis Corners
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Davis Corners is located in Howard County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Davis Corners
- Lime Springs
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Fillmore County (MN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Springwater, with the one closest to Springwater listed first.
- Mabel
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
- Newburg
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Newburg is located in Fillmore County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newburg
- Canton
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
- Harmony
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Granger
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
- Granger is located in Fillmore County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Granger
- Bratsberg
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
- Bratsberg is located in Fillmore County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bratsberg
- Whalan
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
- Lanesboro
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- Preston
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- Peterson
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- South Rushford
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- South Rushford is located in Fillmore County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Rushford
- Carimona
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Carimona is located in Fillmore County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carimona
- Houston County (MN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Springwater, with the one closest to Springwater listed first.
- Bee
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
- Bee is located in Houston County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bee
- Riceford
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Riceford is located in Houston County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riceford
- Spring Grove
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Willington Grove
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
- Willington Grove is located in Houston County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Willington Grove
- Wilmington
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
- Wilmington is located in Houston County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilmington
- Eitzen
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- Eitzen is located in Houston County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eitzen
- Population from the 2020 Census: 248 people
- Yucatan
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Yucatan is located in Houston County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yucatan
- Caledonia
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
- Houston
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Reno
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Reno is located in Houston County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reno
- Crawford County (WI)
- De Soto
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- De Soto is located in Crawford County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for De Soto
- Population from the 2020 Census: 278 people
- Vernon County (WI)
- Genoa
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Genoa is located in Vernon County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Genoa
- Population from the 2020 Census: 260 people
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Springwater, see our County-by-County Page for Springwater.
Cemeteries Near Springwater ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Springwater.
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 Springwater - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Springwater covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Springwater, with the one closest to Springwater listed first.
- Springwater Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the south)
- Canoe Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the south)
- Seegmiller Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the north)
- Seegmiller Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the north)
- Hauge Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Russell Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
- St. John Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- Canoe Ridge Lutheran Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Big Canoe Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Freeport Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- East Freeport Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Methodist Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Continue List (330 more) ...
- Stoen Farm Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Wilson Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Salveson 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.<2>
The Rand McNally Atlas shows that in 1895, Springwater had a post office and no railroad service.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Springwater, with the one closest to Springwater listed first.
- Locust
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Locust is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Locust
- Decorah
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Freeport
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Freeport is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Freeport
- Highlandville
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Highlandville is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Highlandville
- Hesper
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Hesper is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hesper
- Thoten
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Thoten is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thoten
- Quandahl
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Quandahl is located in Allamakee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quandahl
- Burr Oak
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Bluffton
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
- Bluffton is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bluffton
- Washington Prairie
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Washington Prairie is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Washington Prairie
- Mabel
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
- Nordness
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Nordness is located in Winneshiek County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nordness
- Continue List (18 more) ...
- Newhouse
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Newhouse is located in Houston County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newhouse
- Prosper
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
- Prosper is located in Fillmore County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prosper
- Bee
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
- Bee is located in Houston County (MN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bee
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Springwater. See our List of 1890's Communities around Springwater.
Newspapers Published in Springwater ...
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 150 newspapers that have been published in the area around Springwater.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Springwater, there are papers which were published within 29 miles [46.7 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Springwater.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we begin 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 Springwater:
- Websites specific to Iowa
- Pages specific to Winneshiek County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Allamakee County
- Chickasaw County
- Clayton County
- Fayette County
- Howard County
- Fillmore County
- Houston County
- Crawford County
- Vernon 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 Springwater, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <3> | 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 drawn from Point A (ie- Springwater) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |