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 Thurber (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 Thurber. 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 doctors 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.
Thurber is located in Hamilton 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 Hamilton County: Franklin, Gallatin, Jefferson, Saline, Wayne, White & Williamson.
Below are the counties that are near Thurber. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Thurber:
- Hamilton County (The home county of Thurber)
- The following are listed by their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Jefferson City ‑ Historic
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Jefferson City is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jefferson City
- McLeansboro
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Bungay
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- Bungay is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bungay
- Dale
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
- Diamond City
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Diamond City is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Diamond City
- Piopolis
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
- Piopolis is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Piopolis
- Broughton
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Flint
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Flint is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flint
- Belle Prairie City
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Belle Prairie City is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Belle Prairie City
- Population from the 2020 Census: 50 people
- Walpole
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
- Walpole is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walpole
- Lovilla
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- Lovilla is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lovilla
- Macedonia
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- Edwards County
- The following are listed by their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Ellery
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Albion
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Red Top
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Red Top is located in Edwards County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Top
- Franklin County
- The following are listed by their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Akin
(18 miles [29 km] to the west)
- Frisco
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Frisco is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frisco
- Taylor Hill
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Taylor Hill is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Taylor Hill
- Thompsonville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
- Parrish
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Parrish is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parrish
- Ewing
(23 miles [37 km] to the west)
- Hanaford
(23 miles [37 km] to the west)
- Hanaford is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hanaford
- Population from the 2020 Census: 316 people
- Smothersville
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Smothersville is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Smothersville
- Fitt's Hill ‑ Historic
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Fitt's Hill is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fitt's Hill
- Steel City
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
- Steel City is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Steel City
- Whittington
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
- Benton
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Gallatin County
- The following are listed by their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Omaha
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
- Elba
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Elba is located in Gallatin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elba
- New Haven
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
- Inman
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Inman is located in Gallatin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Inman
- Ridgway
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Equality
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Lawler
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Lawler is located in Gallatin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lawler
- Junction
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Shawneetown
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Bowlesville ‑ Historic
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Bowlesville is located in Gallatin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowlesville
- Old Shawneetown
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Old Shawneetown is located in Gallatin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Shawneetown
- Population from the 2020 Census: 164 people
- Jefferson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Belle Rive
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
- Bluford
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- Markham City
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- Markham City is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Markham City
- Opdyke
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- Marlow
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- Marlow is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marlow
- Ina
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
- Ina is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ina
- Population from the 2020 Census: 2,279 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ina <1>
- Pigeon ‑ Historic
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- Pigeon is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pigeon
- Bonnie
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Summersville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Summersville is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summersville
- Nason
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Mount Vernon
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Dareville
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Dareville is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dareville
- Saline County
- The following are listed by their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Texas City
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
- Texas City is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Texas City
- Long Branch
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
- Long Branch is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Long Branch
- Cornerville
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Cornerville is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cornerville
- Saline City
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
- Saline City is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saline City
- Eldorado
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Raleigh
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Galatia
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Wasson
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Wasson is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wasson
- Red Bud ‑ Historic
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
- Red Bud is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Bud
- Muddy
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Cottage Grove
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Cottage Grove is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cottage Grove
- Gaskins City
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Gaskins City is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gaskins City
- Wayne County
- The following are listed by their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Barnhill
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
- Boyleston
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Boyleston is located in Wayne County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boyleston
- Fairfield
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Sims
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Wayne City
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Keenes
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
- Golden Gate
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Geff
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
- Jeffersonville
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
- Jeffersonville is located in Wayne County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jeffersonville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 350 people
- Cisne
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Enterprise
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
- Enterprise is located in Wayne County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Enterprise
- Johnsonville
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
- White County
- The following are listed by their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Enfield
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Springerton
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Norris City
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Stokes
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Stokes is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stokes
- Mill Shoals
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
- Roland
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Roland is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roland
- Carmi
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
- Burnt Prairie
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
- Herald
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
- Emma
(18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
- Crossville
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Maunie
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Williamson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Hartford
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Hartford is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartford
- Corinth
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Corinth is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Corinth
- Posey County (IN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Savah
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Savah is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Savah
- New Harmony
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Griffin
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Griffin is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Griffin
- Population from the 2020 Census: 167 people
- Solitude
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Solitude is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Solitude
- Hovey
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Hovey is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hovey
- Mount Vernon
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Springfield
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Springfield is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springfield
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Thurber, see our County-by-County Page for Thurber.
Cemeteries Near Thurber ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Thurber.
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 Thurber - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Thurber covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Old Brush Harbor Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Arterberry Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the north)
- Munsell Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the east)
- Prince Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
- Webb Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
- Hopkins Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- New Hope Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- Hutson Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- McLntosh Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Enfield Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Springer Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- IOOF Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Continue List (418 more) ...
- Digby Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
- Clark Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
- Cherry Grove Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
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 Thurber in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Thurber.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Thurber, with the one closest to Thurber listed first.
- Logansport ‑ Historic
(Less than 2 miles to the north)
- Logansport is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Logansport
- Thackeray
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
- Thackeray is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thackeray
- Hoodville
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Hoodville is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hoodville
- Enfield
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- McLeansboro
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Dale
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
- Sacramento
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Sacramento is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sacramento
- Springerton
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Norris City
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Stokes
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Stokes is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stokes
- Olga
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Olga is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Olga
- Broughton
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Continue List (16 more) ...
- Brownsville
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- Brownsville is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brownsville
- Piopolis
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
- Piopolis is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Piopolis
- Delafield
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
- Delafield is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delafield
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Thurber. See our List of 1890's Communities around Thurber.
Newspapers Published in Thurber ...
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 61 newspapers that have been published in the area around Thurber.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Thurber, there are papers which were published within 26 miles [41.8 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Thurber.
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 Thurber:
- Websites specific to Illinois
- Pages specific to Hamilton County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Edwards County
- Franklin County
- Gallatin County
- Jefferson County
- Saline County
- Wayne County
- White County
- Williamson County
- Posey 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 Thurber, 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 drawn from Point A (ie- Thurber) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |