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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 Emerson (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 Emerson. 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 and hospitals 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.

Emerson is located in Whiteside County.

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 Whiteside County: Clinton (IA), Bureau, Carroll, Henry, Lee, Ogle & Rock Island.

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

  • Whiteside County     (The home county of Emerson)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Emerson, with the one closest to Emerson listed first.
    • Galt
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Sterling
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Rock Falls
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Coleta
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Penrose
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Penrose is located in Whiteside County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Penrose
    • Malvern
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Malvern is located in Whiteside County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Malvern
    • White Pigeon
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
      • White Pigeon is located in Whiteside County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White Pigeon
    • Lyndon
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Morrison
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
    • Tampico
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
    • Prophetstown
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Denrock
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Denrock is located in Whiteside County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Denrock
  • Bureau County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Emerson, with the one closest to Emerson listed first.
    • Yorktown
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
      • Yorktown is located in Bureau County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yorktown
    • Walnut
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
    • New Bedford
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
    • Ohio
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
    • Manlius
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Kasbeer
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Limerick
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Limerick is located in Bureau County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Limerick
    • Van Orin
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Mineral
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Greenoak
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Greenoak is located in Bureau County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenoak
  • Carroll County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Emerson, with the one closest to Emerson listed first.
    • Milledgeville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
    • Hazelhurst
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Hazelhurst is located in Carroll County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hazelhurst
    • South Elkhorn
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • South Elkhorn is located in Carroll County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Elkhorn
    • Fair Haven
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Fair Haven is located in Carroll County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fair Haven
    • Hitt
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
      • Hitt is located in Carroll County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hitt
    • Elkhorn Grove
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
      • Elkhorn Grove is located in Carroll County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elkhorn Grove
    • Chadwick
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Ideal
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Ideal is located in Carroll County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ideal
    • Argo Fay
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Argo Fay is located in Carroll County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Argo Fay
    • Daggett ‑ Historic
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Daggett is located in Carroll County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Daggett
    • Lanark
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
    • Thomson
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
  • Henry County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Emerson, with the one closest to Emerson listed first.
    • Hooppole
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Annawan
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Atkinson
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Lee County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Emerson, with the one closest to Emerson listed first.
    • Nelson
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Prairieville
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
      • Prairieville is located in Lee County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prairieville
    • Harmon
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Dixon
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
    • Eldena
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
    • Nachusa
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
    • Amboy
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
    • Franklin Grove
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
    • Lee Center
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
    • Inlet
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Inlet is located in Lee County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Inlet
    • Ashton
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
    • Sublette
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
  • Ogle County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Emerson, with the one closest to Emerson listed first.
    • Woosung
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Buffalo Grove
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Buffalo Grove is located in Ogle County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buffalo Grove
    • Polo
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Brookville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Brookville is located in Ogle County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brookville
    • Haldane
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Haldane is located in Ogle County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haldane
    • Maryland
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Maryland is located in Ogle County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maryland
    • Harper
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
      • Harper is located in Ogle County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harper
    • Mount Morris
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
    • Carthage
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Carthage is located in Ogle County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carthage
    • Forreston
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Oregon
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Adeline
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Adeline is located in Ogle County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Adeline
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 81 people
  • Rock Island County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Emerson, with the one closest to Emerson listed first.
    • Hillsdale
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Joslin
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Joslin is located in Rock Island County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Joslin
    • Cordova
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
  • Stephenson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Emerson, with the one closest to Emerson listed first.
    • Florence
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Florence is located in Stephenson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Florence
    • Bolton
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Bolton is located in Stephenson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bolton
    • Loran
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Loran is located in Stephenson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Loran
  • Clinton County (IA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Emerson, with the one closest to Emerson listed first.
    • Clinton
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Clinton is located in Clinton County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clinton
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 25,039 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Clinton <1>
    • Elk River Junction
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Elk River Junction is located in Clinton County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elk River Junction
    • Camanche
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Camanche is located in Clinton County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Camanche
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,368 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Camanche <1>
    • Andover
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Andover is located in Clinton County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Andover
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 98 people
    • Teeds Grove
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Teeds Grove is located in Clinton County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Teeds Grove
    • Sixmile
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Sixmile is located in Clinton County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sixmile
    • Shaffton
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Shaffton is located in Clinton County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shaffton
    • Elvira
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Elvira is located in Clinton County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elvira
    • Folletts
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Folletts is located in Clinton County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Folletts
    • Low Moor
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
    • Tenmile
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Tenmile is located in Clinton County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tenmile
  • Jackson County (IA)
    • Sabula
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Sabula is located in Jackson County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sabula
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 545 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sabula <1>

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

Cemeteries Near Emerson ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Emerson.

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 Emerson - one of the links might be able to help.

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

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

  • Como Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
  • East Genesee Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
  • Our Savior lutheran Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
  • Odd Fellows Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • Riverside Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • Calvary Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • Science Ridge Mennonite Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • Oak Knoll Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
  • Oak Knoll Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
  • Hickory Grove Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
  • Peugh Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
  • Maple Ridge Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
  • Continue List   (227 more) ...
    • Golder Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Colcord Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Round Grove Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)

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 in 1895, Emerson had a post office and no railroad service.

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

  • Galt
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
  • Como
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Como is located in Whiteside County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Como
  • Sterling
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
  • Rock Falls
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Round Grove
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Round Grove is located in Whiteside County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Round Grove
  • Sands
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Sands is located in Whiteside County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sands
  • Coleta
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
  • Penrose
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Penrose is located in Whiteside County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Penrose
  • Malvern
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Malvern is located in Whiteside County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Malvern
  • Nelson
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
  • Prairieville
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Prairieville is located in Lee County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prairieville
  • White Pigeon
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • White Pigeon is located in Whiteside County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White Pigeon
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Lyndon
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Milledgeville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
    • Morrison
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)

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

Newspapers Published in Emerson ...

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 194 newspapers that have been published in the area around Emerson.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Emerson, there are papers which were published within 29 miles [46.7 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Emerson.

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 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 Emerson:

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 Emerson, 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' (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- Emerson) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.