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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 Dakota (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 Dakota. 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 doctors and hospitals 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.

Dakota is located in Stephenson County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Stephenson County: Carroll, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Winnebago, Green (WI) & Lafayette (WI).

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

  • Stephenson County     (The home county of Dakota)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dakota, with the one closest to Dakota listed first.
    • Rock City
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Afolkey
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Rock Grove
      (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Cedarville
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Davis
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Davis have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Davis
      • Davis is located in Stephenson County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 616 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Davis <1>
    • Ridott
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ridott have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ridott
      • Ridott is located in Stephenson County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 149 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ridott <1>
    • Red Oak
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Red Oak. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Oak
      • Red Oak is located in Stephenson County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Red Oak
      • From Dakota to Red Oak
    • Orangeville
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Freeport
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Freeport have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Freeport
      • Freeport is located in Stephenson County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 23,447 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Freeport <1>
    • Buena Vista
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Oneco
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
    • McConnell
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McConnell have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McConnell
      • McConnell is located in Stephenson County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for McConnell <1>
    • Eleroy
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
  • Carroll County
  • Jo Daviess County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dakota, with the one closest to Dakota listed first.
    • Nora
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Nora have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nora
      • Nora is located in Jo Daviess County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 116 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Nora <1>
    • Stockton
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stockton have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stockton
      • Stockton is located in Jo Daviess County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,709 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Stockton <1>
    • Warren
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Warren have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Warren
      • Warren is located in Jo Daviess County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,300 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Warren <1>
    • Pleasant Valley
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Apple River
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
  • Ogle County
  • Winnebago County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dakota, with the one closest to Dakota listed first.
    • Lake Summerset
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lake Summerset have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Summerset
      • Lake Summerset is located in Winnebago County
    • Durand
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
    • Pecatonica
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pecatonica have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pecatonica
      • Pecatonica is located in Winnebago County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,065 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Pecatonica <1>
    • Seward
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Seward have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seward
      • Seward is located in Winnebago County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Seward <1>
    • Wempletown
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Wempletown. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wempletown
      • Wempletown is located in Winnebago County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Wempletown
      • From Dakota to Wempletown
    • Winnebago
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Shirland
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shirland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shirland
      • Shirland is located in Winnebago County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Shirland <1>
    • Alworth
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Rockton
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
    • Sturbridge Village
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sturbridge Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sturbridge Village
      • Sturbridge Village is located in Winnebago County
    • Rockford
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
    • Indian Village
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Indian Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Village
      • Indian Village is located in Winnebago County
    • Machesney Park
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Machesney Park have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Machesney Park
      • Machesney Park is located in Winnebago County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 22,678 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Machesney Park <1>
  • Green County (WI)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dakota, with the one closest to Dakota listed first.
    • Twin Grove
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Twin Grove. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Twin Grove
      • Twin Grove is located in Green County (WI)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Twin Grove
      • From Dakota to Twin Grove
    • Monroe
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Monroe have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monroe
      • Monroe is located in Green County (WI)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,426 people
    • Cadiz
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Cadiz. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cadiz
      • Cadiz is located in Green County (WI)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Cadiz
      • From Dakota to Cadiz
    • Brodhead
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brodhead have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brodhead
      • Brodhead is located in Green County (WI)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,204 people
    • Browntown
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
    • Albany
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Albany have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Albany
      • Albany is located in Green County (WI)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 977 people
    • Mineral Point
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mineral Point have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mineral Point
      • Mineral Point is located in Green County (WI)
    • Monticello
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
    • Attica
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
    • New Glarus
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
    • Dayton
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
  • Lafayette County (WI)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dakota, with the one closest to Dakota listed first.
    • South Wayne
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for South Wayne have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Wayne
      • South Wayne is located in Lafayette County (WI)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 472 people
    • Woodford
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Argyle
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Argyle have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Argyle
      • Argyle is located in Lafayette County (WI)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 809 people
    • Wiota
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Gratiot
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
  • Rock County (WI)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dakota, with the one closest to Dakota listed first.
    • Avon
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Newark
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Newark. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newark
      • Newark is located in Rock County (WI)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Newark
      • From Dakota to Newark
    • Orfordville
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Footville
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Hanover
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Magnolia
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Beloit
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
    • Garden Village
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Garden Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garden Village
      • Garden Village is located in Rock County (WI)
    • Evansville
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Evansville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Evansville
      • Evansville is located in Rock County (WI)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,556 people

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

Cemeteries Near Dakota ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Dakota.

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 Dakota covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

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

  • Dakota Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Dakota Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Dakota Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Pioneers Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pioneers Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pioneers Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Freeport Mennonite Church Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Mennonite Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mennonite Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mennonite Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Lancaster Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lancaster Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lancaster Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Rock City Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Rock City Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Rock City Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Afolkey Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Afolkey Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Afolkey Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Silver Spring Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Silver Spring Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Silver Spring Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Union Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Union Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Union Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • St. Paul Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Paul Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Paul Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • St. Paul Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Paul Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Paul Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Bethlehem Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bethlehem Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bethlehem Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (264 more) ...

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 Dakota had a population of 283 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Dakota had a population of 459 people.

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

  • Rock City
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
  • Afolkey
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
  • Cedarville
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
  • Rock Grove
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
  • Ridott
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ridott have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ridott
    • Ridott is located in Stephenson County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 149 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ridott <1>
  • Davis
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Davis have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Davis
    • Davis is located in Stephenson County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 616 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Davis <1>
  • Red Oak
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Red Oak. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Oak
    • Red Oak is located in Stephenson County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Red Oak
    • From Dakota to Red Oak
  • Freeport
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Freeport have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Freeport
    • Freeport is located in Stephenson County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 23,447 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Freeport <1>
  • Orangeville
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
  • Buena Vista
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
  • Oakley
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Oakley have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakley
    • Oakley is located in Green County (WI)
  • Oneco
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Twin Grove
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Twin Grove. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Twin Grove
      • Twin Grove is located in Green County (WI)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Twin Grove
      • From Dakota to Twin Grove
    • Damascus
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Damascus have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Damascus
      • Damascus is located in Stephenson County
    • South Freeport
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for South Freeport have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Freeport
      • South Freeport is located in Stephenson County

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

Newspapers Published in Dakota ...

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 71 newspapers that have been published in the area around Dakota.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Dakota, there are papers which were published within 27 miles [43.5 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Dakota.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to 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 Dakota:

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

The official website for Stephenson County: www.co.stephenson.il.us/

The official website for State of Illinois: https://illinois.gov

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 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.
<3>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.
<4>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Dakota) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Dakota. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 42.3888, Longitude: -89.5264    
<5>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.
<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 Dakota, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025