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 River Forest (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 River Forest. 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.
Name Variations for River Forest ...
When searching records, keep in mind that names and their spelling can change over time. Our sources include documents like maps, railroad schedules, Travel, Express and Shipping Guides. Many of these documents date from the 1800's and it's common to find spelling differences.
Although we can't give a definitive list, hopefully the following will give you a feel for the variations that might occur.
For example, a typical abbreviation for River Forest: River Frst.
You might be interested in other communities that are also named River Forest. More information can be found on our Tidbits & Trivia Page for River Forest.
If you have information about these names (such as the reason for the change, date of change, the origin of the name), please Contact Us.
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 northeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the east. 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 east 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.
River Forest is located in Winnebago 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 Winnebago County: Boone, DeKalb, Ogle, Stephenson, Green (WI) & Rock (WI).
Below are the counties that are near River Forest. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to River Forest:
- Winnebago County (The home county of River Forest)
- The following are listed by their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Indian Village
(Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
- Indian Village is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Village
- Rockford
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- North Park
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- North Park is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Park
- New Millford
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- New Millford is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Millford
- Population from the 2020 Census: 851 people
- Cherry Valley
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Alworth
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
- Alworth is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alworth
- Winnebago
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
- Sturbridge Village
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Sturbridge Village is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sturbridge Village
- Loves Park
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Machesney Park
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Wempletown
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
- Wempletown is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wempletown
- Argyle
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
- Argyle is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Argyle
- Roscoe
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Boone County
- The following are listed by their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Irene
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
- Irene is located in Boone County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irene
- Belvidere
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- Caledonia
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
- Timberlane
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
- Timberlane is located in Boone County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Timberlane
- Population from the 2020 Census: 934 people
- Poplar Grove
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- Herbert
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
- Herbert is located in Boone County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Herbert
- Russellville
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
- Russellville is located in Boone County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Russellville
- Garden Prairie
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Capron
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
- DeKalb County
- The following are listed by their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Fairdale
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
- Fairdale is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairdale
- Kirkland
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
- Esmond
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
- Kingston
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Clare
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
- Brush Point ‑ Historic
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Brush Point is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brush Point
- Genoa
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Malta
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Coltonville ‑ Historic
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Coltonville is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coltonville
- New Lebanon
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- New Lebanon is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Lebanon
- Charter Grove
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Charter Grove is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Charter Grove
- De Kalb
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Sycamore
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Sycamore is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sycamore
- Population from the 2020 Census: 18,317 people
- Kane County
- Burlington
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Lee County
- The following are listed by their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Ashton
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Steward
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
- Franklin Grove
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- McHenry County
- The following are listed by their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Marengo
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Harvard
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Union
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Big Foot Prairie
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Big Foot Prairie is located in McHenry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Foot Prairie
- Ogle County
- The following are listed by their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Davis Junction
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Monroe Center
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
- Stillman Valley
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Holcomb
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Byron
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Lindenwood
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
- Egan
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
- Egan is located in Ogle County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Egan
- Leaf River
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
- Chana
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Hillcrest
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Hillcrest is located in Ogle County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hillcrest
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,216 people
- Honey Creek
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Honey Creek is located in Ogle County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Honey Creek
- Oregon
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Flagg Center
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Flagg Center is located in Ogle County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flagg Center
- Stephenson County
- The following are listed by their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Davis
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- German Valley
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Ridott
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Rock City
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Rock City is located in Stephenson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock City
- Population from the 2020 Census: 279 people
- Dakota
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Rock Grove
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- Rock Grove is located in Stephenson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Grove
- Freeport
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Afolkey
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Afolkey is located in Stephenson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Afolkey
- Cedarville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Florence
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Florence is located in Stephenson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Florence
- Green County (WI)
- The following are listed by their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Brodhead
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Brodhead is located in Green County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brodhead
- Population from the 2020 Census: 3,204 people
- Twin Grove
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Twin Grove is located in Green County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Twin Grove
- Rock County (WI)
- The following are listed by their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Beloit
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Beloit is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beloit
- Population from the 2020 Census: 36,637 people
- Garden Village
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Garden Village is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garden Village
- Newark
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Newark is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newark
- Shopiere
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
- Shopiere is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shopiere
- Avon
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Avon is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avon
- Tiffany
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Tiffany is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tiffany
- Clinton
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Clinton is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clinton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 2,119 people
- Hanover
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Hanover is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hanover
- Orfordville
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Orfordville is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orfordville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,486 people
- Avalon
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Avalon is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avalon
- Emerald Grove
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
- Emerald Grove is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emerald Grove
- Footville
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
- Footville is located in Rock County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Footville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 822 people
- Walworth County (WI)
- The following are listed by their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Sharon
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Sharon is located in Walworth County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sharon
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,546 people
- Allens Grove
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Allens Grove is located in Walworth County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Allens Grove
- Big Foot Prairie
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Big Foot Prairie is located in Walworth County (WI)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Foot Prairie
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to River Forest, see our County-by-County Page for River Forest.
Cemeteries Near River Forest ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of River Forest.
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 River Forest - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for River Forest covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Cedar Bluff Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- New Milford Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Starkey Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
- Guilford Turner Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- Scandinavian Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- St. James & St. Marys Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Mt. Auburn Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Greenwood Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Carman Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Arlington Memorial Park
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Marsh Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Willwood Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Continue List (242 more) ...
- Kishwaukee Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
- Calvary Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Guilford Union Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
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 River Forest in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of River Forest.
These communities are listed based on their distance from River Forest, with the one closest to River Forest listed first.
- Greendale
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Greendale is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greendale
- Rockford
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- New Millford
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- New Millford is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Millford
- Population from the 2020 Census: 851 people
- Kishwaukee
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Kishwaukee is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kishwaukee
- Perryville
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Perryville is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Perryville
- Ruby
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Ruby is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ruby
- Jonesville
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- Jonesville is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jonesville
- Cherry Valley
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Genet
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Genet is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Genet
- Harlem
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Harlem is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harlem
- Davis Junction
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Wempletown
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
- Wempletown is located in Winnebago County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wempletown
- Continue List (15 more) ...
- Stillman Valley
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Monroe Center
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
- Irene
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
- Irene is located in Boone County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irene
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around River Forest. See our List of 1890's Communities around River Forest.
Newspapers Published in River Forest ...
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 75 newspapers that have been published in the area around River Forest.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of River Forest, there are papers which were published within 21 miles [33.8 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for River Forest.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we first visit 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 River Forest:
- Websites specific to Illinois
- Pages specific to Winnebago County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Boone County
- DeKalb County
- Kane County
- Lee County
- McHenry County
- Ogle County
- Stephenson County
- Green County
- Rock County
- Walworth 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 River Forest, 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- River Forest) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |