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 Aledo (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 Aledo. 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 southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors were in the next county to the west. 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 west 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.
Aledo is located in Mercer County and is the County Seat.
To see how the shape of Illinois' counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Mercer County: Des Moines (IA), Louisa (IA), Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island & Warren.
Below are the counties that are near Aledo. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Aledo:
- Mercer County (The home county of Aledo)
- The following are listed by their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Sunbeam
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Sunbeam is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunbeam
- Shale City
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Shale City is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shale City
- Gilchrist
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Gilchrist is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gilchrist
- Joy
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Burgess
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Burgess is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burgess
- Seaton
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Viola
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Marston
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Marston is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marston
- Matherville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Norwood
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Norwood is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Norwood
- Preemption
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
- Petersville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Petersville is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Petersville
- Mannon
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
- Mannon is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mannon
- Henderson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Milroy
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
- Milroy is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Milroy
- Rozetta
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Rozetta is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rozetta
- Oquawka
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Biggsville
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Biggsville is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Biggsville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 273 people
- Gladstone
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Media
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Media is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Media
- Population from the 2020 Census: 93 people
- Olena
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
- Olena is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Olena
- Henry County
- The following are listed by their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Alpha
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Ophiem
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Ophiem is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ophiem
- Lynn Center
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Orion
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
- Woodhull
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- Andover
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Morristown
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Morristown is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morristown
- Osco
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Briar Bluff
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Briar Bluff is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Briar Bluff
- Colona
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Green Rock
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Green Rock is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Rock
- Cambridge
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Dayton
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Dayton is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dayton
- Knox County
- The following are listed by their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Rio
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Henderson Grove
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Henderson Grove is located in Knox County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Henderson Grove
- Henderson
(23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
- Galesburg
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Wataga
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Oneida
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- East Galesburg
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- East Galesburg is located in Knox County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Galesburg
- Population from the 2020 Census: 761 people
- Altona
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Rock Island County
- The following are listed by their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Reynolds
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Buffalo Prairie
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Edgington
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Edgington is located in Rock Island County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edgington
- Taylor Ridge
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Illinois City
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
- Illinois City is located in Rock Island County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Illinois City
- Andalusia
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
- Coyne Center
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Coyne Center is located in Rock Island County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coyne Center
- Oak Grove
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Oak Grove is located in Rock Island County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oak Grove
- Population from the 2020 Census: 585 people
- Milan
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
- Coal Valley
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Rock Island
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Moline
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- East Moline
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- East Moline is located in Rock Island County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Moline
- Population from the 2020 Census: 20,473 people
- Warren County
- The following are listed by their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Little York
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
- Eleanor
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
- Eleanor is located in Warren County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eleanor
- Gerlaw
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
- Shanghai City
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
- Shanghai City is located in Warren County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shanghai City
- Utah
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Utah is located in Warren County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Utah
- Monmouth
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Kirkwood
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Cameron
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Surrey
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Surrey is located in Warren County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Surrey
- Smithshire
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Berwick
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Des Moines County (IA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Kingston
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
- Kingston is located in Des Moines County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kingston
- Mediapolis
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Sperry
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Sperry is located in Des Moines County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sperry
- Dodgeville
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Dodgeville is located in Des Moines County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dodgeville
- Kline
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Kline is located in Des Moines County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kline
- Louisa County (IA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Oakville
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Elrick Junction
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Elrick Junction is located in Louisa County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elrick Junction
- Grandview
(23 miles [37 km] to the west)
- Grandview is located in Louisa County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grandview
- Population from the 2020 Census: 519 people
- Wapello
(23 miles [37 km] to the west)
- Wapello is located in Louisa County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wapello
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,999 people
- Letts
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
- Morning Sun
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Muscatine County (IA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Midway Beach
(18 miles [29 km] to the north)
- Midway Beach is located in Muscatine County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Midway Beach
- Fairport
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Fairport is located in Muscatine County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairport
- Pine Mills ‑ Historic
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Pine Mills is located in Muscatine County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pine Mills
- Fruitland
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Fruitland is located in Muscatine County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fruitland
- Population from the 2020 Census: 966 people
- Muscatine
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Pleasant Prairie
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Pleasant Prairie is located in Muscatine County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasant Prairie
- Stockton
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Stockton is located in Muscatine County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stockton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 189 people
- South Towne Park
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- South Towne Park is located in Muscatine County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Towne Park
- Wilton
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Wilton is located in Muscatine County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 2,800 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Wilton <1>
- Scott County (IA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Buffalo
(18 miles [29 km] to the north)
- Blue Grass
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Davenport
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Bettendorf
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Riverdale
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Riverdale is located in Scott County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverdale
- Population from the 2020 Census: 398 people
- Walcott
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Panorama Park
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Panorama Park is located in Scott County (IA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Panorama Park
- Population from the 2020 Census: 331 people
- Durant
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Pleasant Valley
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Aledo, see our County-by-County Page for Aledo.
Cemeteries Near Aledo ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Aledo.
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 Aledo - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Aledo covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Aledo Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Artz Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
- Sugar Grove Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- McClure Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
- McPherren Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
- Candor Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Carnahan Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Brick Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Graham Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Oak Ridge Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Griffith Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Peniel Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Peniel Cemetery
- The Peniel Cemetery has also been known as:
- Peniel Presbyterian Church Cemetery
- Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #232402 <2>
- Continue List (307 more) ...
- St. Joseph's Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
- Corns Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
- Gray Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 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>
While we didn't find Aledo in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Aledo.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Aledo, with the one closest to Aledo listed first.
- Sunbeam
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Sunbeam is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunbeam
- Millersburg
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
- Millersburg is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millersburg
- Gilchrist
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Gilchrist is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gilchrist
- Joy
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Seaton
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Marston
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Marston is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marston
- Viola
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Hamlet
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Hamlet is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hamlet
- Ogle
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
- Ogle is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ogle
- Norwood
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Norwood is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Norwood
- Reynolds
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Buffalo Prairie
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Continue List (17 more) ...
- Preemption
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
- Petersville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Petersville is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Petersville
- Mannon
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
- Mannon is located in Mercer County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mannon
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Aledo. See our List of 1890's Communities around Aledo.
Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Aledo ...
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 69 newspapers that have been published in the area around Aledo.
We have organized these newspapers into two lists:
- A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Aledo. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Aledo and those printed in the larger area surrounding Aledo.
- An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 27 miles [43.5 km]<4> of Aledo.
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 Aledo:
- Websites specific to Illinois
- Pages specific to Mercer County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Henderson County
- Henry County
- Knox County
- Rock Island County
- Warren County
- Des Moines County
- Louisa County
- Muscatine County
- Scott County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Illinois
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 Aledo, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <4> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Aledo) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |