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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 Brewster (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 Brewster. 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 hospitals and 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.

Brewster is located in Thomas County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Thomas County: Decatur, Gove, Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan & Sherman.

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

  • Thomas County     (The home county of Brewster)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Brewster, with the one closest to Brewster listed first.
    • Levant
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Levant have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Levant
      • Levant is located in Thomas County
    • Colby
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Colby have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colby
      • Colby is located in Thomas County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,315 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Colby <2>
    • Gem
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gem have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gem
      • Gem is located in Thomas County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 84 people
    • Spica
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spica have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spica
      • Spica is located in Thomas County
  • Cheyenne County
    • Bird City
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
  • Logan County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Brewster, with the one closest to Brewster listed first.
    • Winona
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Winona have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Winona
      • Winona is located in Logan County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 155 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Winona <2>
    • Page City
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Page City
      • Page City is located in Logan County
    • McAllaster
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McAllaster have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McAllaster
      • McAllaster is located in Logan County
    • Monument
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monument
      • Monument is located in Logan County
  • Rawlins County
    • McDonald
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McDonald have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McDonald
      • McDonald is located in Rawlins County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 156 people
  • Sherman County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Brewster, with the one closest to Brewster listed first.
    • Edson
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edson
      • Edson is located in Sherman County
    • Goodland
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
    • Caruso
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Caruso have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Caruso
      • Caruso is located in Sherman County
    • Ruleton
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ruleton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ruleton
      • Ruleton is located in Sherman County

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Brewster ...

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 66 newspapers that have been published in the area around Brewster.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Brewster. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Brewster and those printed in the larger area surrounding Brewster.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 29 miles [46.7 km]<3> of Brewster.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These helpful 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 Brewster:

Cemeteries Near Brewster ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Brewster.

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

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

  • Brewster Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Brewster Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Brewster Cemetery
  • Hollenbeck Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hollenbeck Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hollenbeck Cemetery
  • Freeland Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Freeland Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Freeland Cemetery
  • Edison Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Edison Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Edison Cemetery
  • Lava Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lava Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lava Cemetery
  • Brownville Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Brownville Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Brownville Cemetery
  • Shermanville Cemetery
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Shermanville Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Shermanville Cemetery
  • Frerichs Cemetery
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Frerichs Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Frerichs Cemetery
  • Hartzler Cemetery
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hartzler Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hartzler Cemetery
  • Sunnyside Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Sunnyside Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Sunnyside Cemetery
  • Goodland Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Goodland Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Goodland Cemetery
  • Harmony Cemetery
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Harmony Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Harmony Cemetery
  • Continue List   (22 more) ...
    • Beulah Cemetery
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
    • Sacred Heart Cemetery
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Sacred Heart Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Sacred Heart Cemetery
    • Goodland Cemetery
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Goodland Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Goodland Cemetery

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.<5>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that in 1895, Brewster had a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Brewster had a population of 289 people.

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

  • Edson
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edson
    • Edson is located in Sherman County
  • Levant
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Levant have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Levant
    • Levant is located in Thomas County
  • Colby
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Colby have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colby
    • Colby is located in Thomas County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,315 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Colby <2>
  • Goodland
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
  • Winona
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Winona have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Winona
    • Winona is located in Logan County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 155 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Winona <2>
  • Page City
    (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Page City
    • Page City is located in Logan County
  • Mingo
    (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mingo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mingo
    • Mingo is located in Thomas County
  • McAllaster
    (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McAllaster have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McAllaster
    • McAllaster is located in Logan County
  • Gem
    (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gem have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gem
    • Gem is located in Thomas County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 84 people
  • Monument
    (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monument
    • Monument is located in Logan County
  • Chardon
    (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chardon have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chardon
    • Chardon is located in Rawlins County
  • Bird City
    (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
  • Continue List   (4 more) ...
    • Spica
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spica have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spica
      • Spica is located in Thomas County
    • Ruleton
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ruleton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ruleton
      • Ruleton is located in Sherman County
    • McDonald
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McDonald have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McDonald
      • McDonald is located in Rawlins County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 156 people

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

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

The official website for State of Kansas: https://portal.kansas.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>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.
<2>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a '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- Brewster) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Brewster. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 39.3630, Longitude: -101.3771       In this case, the coordinates for Brewster have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<4>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.
<5>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 Brewster, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024