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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 New Salem (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 New Salem. 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 southeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals and doctors were in the next county to the east. 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 east 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.

New Salem is located in Allegan 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 Allegan County: Barry, Kalamazoo, Kent, Ottawa & Van Buren.

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

  • Allegan County     (The home county of New Salem)
    • The following are listed by their distance from New Salem, with the one closest to New Salem listed first.
    • Burnips
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burnips
      • Burnips is located in Allegan County
      • Former name for Burnips:
      • Burnip's Corners
    • Dorr
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Hilliards
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hilliards
      • Hilliards is located in Allegan County
    • Moline
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moline
      • Moline is located in Allegan County
    • Diamond Springs
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Diamond Springs
      • Diamond Springs is located in Allegan County
    • Hopkins
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hopkins have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hopkins
      • Hopkins is located in Allegan County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 605 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hopkins <1>
    • Wayland
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wayland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wayland
      • Wayland is located in Allegan County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,237 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Wayland <1>
    • Bradley
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bradley have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bradley
      • Bradley is located in Allegan County
    • Hamilton
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Fillmore
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fillmore
      • Fillmore is located in Allegan County
    • Shelbyville
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shelbyville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shelbyville
      • Shelbyville is located in Allegan County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Shelbyville <1>
    • Allegan
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
  • Barry County
    • The following are listed by their distance from New Salem, with the one closest to New Salem listed first.
    • Middleville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Middleville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Middleville
      • Middleville is located in Barry County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,510 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Middleville <1>
    • Irving
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irving
      • Irving is located in Barry County
    • Doster
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Doster have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Doster
      • Doster is located in Barry County
    • Freeport
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Freeport have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Freeport
      • Freeport is located in Barry County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 503 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Freeport <1>
    • Cloverdale
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cloverdale
      • Cloverdale is located in Barry County
    • Hastings
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
    • Delton
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Cedar Creek
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cedar Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Creek
      • Cedar Creek is located in Barry County
    • Hickory Corners
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hickory Corners have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hickory Corners
      • Hickory Corners is located in Barry County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hickory Corners <1>
  • Ionia County
    • The following are listed by their distance from New Salem, with the one closest to New Salem listed first.
    • Elmdale
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elmdale
      • Elmdale is located in Ionia County
    • Clarksville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clarksville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clarksville
      • Clarksville is located in Ionia County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 395 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Clarksville <1>
    • Campbell Corners
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Campbell Corners
      • Campbell Corners is located in Ionia County
  • Kalamazoo County
    • Alamo
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alamo
      • Alamo is located in Kalamazoo County
  • Kent County
    • The following are listed by their distance from New Salem, with the one closest to New Salem listed first.
    • North Dorr
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Dorr have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Dorr
      • North Dorr is located in Kent County
    • Byron Center
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Corinth
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Corinth have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Corinth
      • Corinth is located in Kent County
    • Carlisle
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Carlisle have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carlisle
      • Carlisle is located in Kent County
    • Cutlerville
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cutlerville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cutlerville
      • Cutlerville is located in Kent County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cutlerville <1>
    • Grandville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
    • Burlingame Heights
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burlingame Heights
      • Burlingame Heights is located in Kent County
    • Burlingame
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burlingame
      • Burlingame is located in Kent County
    • Clyde Park
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clyde Park
      • Clyde Park is located in Kent County
    • Beverly
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beverly
      • Beverly is located in Kent County
    • Dutton
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dutton
      • Dutton is located in Kent County
    • Urbandale
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Urbandale
      • Urbandale is located in Kent County
  • Muskegon County
    • Ravenna
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ravenna have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ravenna
      • Ravenna is located in Muskegon County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,276 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ravenna <1>
  • Ottawa County
    • The following are listed by their distance from New Salem, with the one closest to New Salem listed first.
    • Forest Grove Station
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Grove Station
      • Forest Grove Station is located in Ottawa County
    • Jamestown
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jamestown
      • Jamestown is located in Ottawa County
    • Drenthe
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Drenthe have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Drenthe
      • Drenthe is located in Ottawa County
    • Hudsonville
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Jenison
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
    • South Blendon
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Blendon
      • South Blendon is located in Ottawa County
    • Zeeland
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
    • Bauer
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bauer have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bauer
      • Bauer is located in Ottawa County
    • Noordeloos
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Noordeloos
      • Noordeloos is located in Ottawa County
    • Holland
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
    • Waverly
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Waverly have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Waverly
      • Waverly is located in Ottawa County
    • Allendale
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Allendale have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Allendale
      • Allendale is located in Ottawa County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Allendale <1>
  • Van Buren County
    • The following are listed by their distance from New Salem, with the one closest to New Salem listed first.
    • Gobles
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
    • Kendall
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kendall
      • Kendall is located in Van Buren County
    • Bloomingdale
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Grand Junction
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Lacota
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lacota
      • Lacota is located in Van Buren County
    • North Lake
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Lake
      • North Lake is located in Van Buren County
    • Kibbie
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kibbie
      • Kibbie is located in Van Buren County

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

Newspapers Published in New Salem ...

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 189 newspapers that have been published in the area around New Salem.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of New Salem, there are papers which were published within 24 miles [38.6 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for New Salem.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we like to start with 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 New Salem:

Cemeteries Near New Salem ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of New Salem.

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

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

  • St. Mary's Catholic Church of New Salem Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
  • Burnips Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Burnips Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Burnips Cemetery
  • Salem Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • 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
  • North Dorr Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the North Dorr Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the North Dorr Cemetery
  • Star Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Star Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Star Cemetery
  • Winegar Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Winegar Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Winegar Cemetery
  • Winegar Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Winegar Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Winegar Cemetery
  • St. Sebastian's Catholic Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Sebastian's Catholic Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Sebastian's Catholic Cemetery
  • Tanner Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Tanner Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Tanner Cemetery
  • Dorr Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Dorr Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Dorr Cemetery
  • Jamestown Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Jamestown Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Jamestown Cemetery
  • Jones Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Jones Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Jones Cemetery
  • Continue List   (273 more) ...
    • Forest Grove Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Forest Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Forest Grove Cemetery
    • Zutphen Cemetery
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Zutphen Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Zutphen Cemetery
    • Bentheim Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bentheim Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bentheim 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 New Salem had a population of 52 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.

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

  • North Dorr
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Dorr have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Dorr
    • North Dorr is located in Kent County
  • Gitchel
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gitchel have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gitchel
    • Gitchel is located in Ottawa County
  • Dorr
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Forest Grove
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Forest Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Grove
    • Forest Grove is located in Ottawa County
  • Jamestown
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jamestown
    • Jamestown is located in Ottawa County
  • Ross
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ross have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ross
    • Ross is located in Kent County
  • Byron Center
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
  • Hilliards
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hilliards
    • Hilliards is located in Allegan County
  • Zutphen
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Zutphen have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zutphen
    • Zutphen is located in Ottawa County
  • Oakland
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Oakland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakland
    • Oakland is located in Allegan County
  • Diamond Springs
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Diamond Springs
    • Diamond Springs is located in Allegan County
  • Moline
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moline
    • Moline is located in Allegan County
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Corinth
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Corinth have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Corinth
      • Corinth is located in Kent County
    • Carlisle
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Carlisle have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carlisle
      • Carlisle is located in Kent County
    • Drenthe
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Drenthe have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Drenthe
      • Drenthe is located in Ottawa County

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

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

The official website for Allegan County: www.allegancounty.org/

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 drawn from Point A (ie- New Salem) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in New Salem. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 42.7540, Longitude: -85.8018    
<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 New Salem, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024