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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 Derby (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 Derby. 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 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 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.

Derby is located in Berrien County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Berrien County: LaPorte (IN), Saint Joseph (IN), Cass & Van Buren.

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

  • Berrien County     (The home county of Derby)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Derby, with the one closest to Derby listed first.
    • Stevensville
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Glenlord
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenlord
      • Glenlord is located in Berrien County
      • Glenlord has also been known as:
      • Glen Lord
    • Scottdale
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scottdale
      • Scottdale is located in Berrien County
    • Shoreham
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shoreham have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shoreham
      • Shoreham is located in Berrien County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 829 people
    • Baroda
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Baroda have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Baroda
      • Baroda is located in Berrien County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 879 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Baroda <1>
    • Hinchman
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hinchman
      • Hinchman is located in Berrien County
    • Fair Plain
      (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fair Plain have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fair Plain
      • Fair Plain is located in Berrien County
    • Saint Joseph
      (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Sodus
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sodus have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sodus
      • Sodus is located in Berrien County
    • Snow
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Snow have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Snow
      • Snow is located in Berrien County
    • Bridgman
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Benton Harbor
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
  • Cass County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Derby, with the one closest to Derby listed first.
    • Sumnerville
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sumnerville
      • Sumnerville is located in Cass County
    • Pokagon
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pokagon
      • Pokagon is located in Cass County
    • Dowagiac
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
    • La Grange
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Grange
      • La Grange is located in Cass County
    • Cassopolis
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cassopolis have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cassopolis
      • Cassopolis is located in Cass County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,698 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cassopolis <1>
    • Edwardsburg
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edwardsburg have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edwardsburg
      • Edwardsburg is located in Cass County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,241 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Edwardsburg <1>
    • Penn
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Penn
      • Penn is located in Cass County
    • Vandalia
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Vandalia have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vandalia
      • Vandalia is located in Cass County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 281 people
  • Van Buren County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Derby, with the one closest to Derby listed first.
    • Fish Corners
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fish Corners
      • Fish Corners is located in Van Buren County
    • Hartford
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Covert
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Decatur
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Decatur have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Decatur
      • Decatur is located in Van Buren County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,716 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Decatur <1>
    • Lawrence
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Bangor
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bangor
      • Bangor is located in Van Buren County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,808 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Bangor <1>
    • South Haven
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
  • LaPorte County (IN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Derby, with the one closest to Derby listed first.
    • Hesston
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hesston
      • Hesston is located in LaPorte County (IN)
    • Smith
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Smith
      • Smith is located in LaPorte County (IN)
    • Rolling Prairie
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Michiana Shores
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Michiana Shores have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Michiana Shores
      • Michiana Shores is located in LaPorte County (IN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 296 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Michiana Shores <1>
    • Long Beach
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Long Beach have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Long Beach
      • Long Beach is located in LaPorte County (IN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,139 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Long Beach <1>
    • Pottawattamie Park
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pottawattamie Park have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pottawattamie Park
      • Pottawattamie Park is located in LaPorte County (IN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 221 people
    • Michigan City
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Trail Creek
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Trail Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trail Creek
      • Trail Creek is located in LaPorte County (IN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,985 people
    • La Porte
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Porte
      • La Porte is located in LaPorte County (IN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 21,449 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for La Porte <1>
    • Waterford
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Waterford have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Waterford
      • Waterford is located in LaPorte County (IN)
  • Saint Joseph County (IN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Derby, with the one closest to Derby listed first.
    • New Carlisle
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for New Carlisle have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Carlisle
      • New Carlisle is located in Saint Joseph County (IN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,150 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for New Carlisle <1>
    • Zeigler
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zeigler
      • Zeigler is located in Saint Joseph County (IN)
    • Georgetown
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Georgetown have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Georgetown
      • Georgetown is located in Saint Joseph County (IN)
    • Roseland
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Roseland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roseland
      • Roseland is located in Saint Joseph County (IN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 635 people
    • 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 Saint Joseph County (IN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 134 people
    • Granger
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
    • South Bend
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Bend
      • South Bend is located in Saint Joseph County (IN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 101,868 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for South Bend <1>
    • Crumstown
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Crumstown have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crumstown
      • Crumstown is located in Saint Joseph County (IN)
    • Mishawaka
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mishawaka
      • Mishawaka is located in Saint Joseph County (IN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 50,312 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mishawaka <1>
    • Nutwood
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Nutwood have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nutwood
      • Nutwood is located in Saint Joseph County (IN)
    • Gulivoire Park
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gulivoire Park
      • Gulivoire Park is located in Saint Joseph County (IN)

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

Newspapers Published in Derby ...

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 62 newspapers that have been published in the area around Derby.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Derby, there are papers which were published within 26 miles [41.8 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Derby.

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 professional and volunteer 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 Derby:

Cemeteries Near Derby ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Derby.

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

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

  • Jerome Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Jerome Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Jerome Cemetery
  • Stevensville Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Stevensville Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Stevensville Cemetery
  • Royalton Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Royalton Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Royalton Cemetery
  • Scottdale Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Scottdale Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Scottdale Cemetery
  • Brown School Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
  • Ruggles Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ruggles Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ruggles Cemetery
  • Feather Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Feather Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Feather Cemetery
  • Brant Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Brant Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Brant Cemetery
  • Riverview Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Riverview Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Riverview Cemetery
  • Graceland Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Graceland Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Graceland Cemetery
  • Salem Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Salem Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Salem Cemetery
  • Greenwood Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Greenwood Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Greenwood Cemetery
  • Continue List   (186 more) ...
    • Bethel Cemetery
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bethel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bethel Cemetery
    • Lakeview Cemetery
      (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lakeview Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lakeview Cemetery
    • Resurrection Cemetery
      (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Resurrection Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Resurrection 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.<4>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that in 1895, Derby had a post office and railroad service.

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

  • Hollywood
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hollywood have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hollywood
    • Hollywood is located in Berrien County
  • Stevensville
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
  • Glenlord
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenlord
    • Glenlord is located in Berrien County
    • Glenlord has also been known as:
    • Glen Lord
  • Vineland
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Vineland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vineland
    • Vineland is located in Berrien County
  • Livingston
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Livingston have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Livingston
    • Livingston is located in Berrien County
  • Hinchman
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hinchman
    • Hinchman is located in Berrien County
  • Saint Joseph
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
  • Bridgman
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Sodus
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sodus have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sodus
    • Sodus is located in Berrien County
  • Benton Harbor
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
  • Glendora
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glendora
    • Glendora is located in Berrien County
  • Berrien Springs
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Berrien Springs have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berrien Springs
    • Berrien Springs is located in Berrien County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,718 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Berrien Springs <1>
  • Continue List   (17 more) ...
    • Hartman
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hartman have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartman
      • Hartman is located in Berrien County
    • Eau Claire
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Eau Claire have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eau Claire
      • Eau Claire is located in Berrien County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 591 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Eau Claire <1>
    • Spinks Corners
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spinks Corners have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spinks Corners
      • Spinks Corners is located in Berrien County

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

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

The official website for State of Michigan: https://www.michigan.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>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Derby) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Derby. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 42.0148, Longitude: -86.4820       In this case, the coordinates for Derby have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<4>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 Derby, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024