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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 Saint Joseph (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 Saint Joseph. 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 Saint Joseph ...

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 have occurred.

For example, a typical abbreviation for Saint Joseph: St. Joseph

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.

Saint Joseph is located in Berrien County and is the County Seat.

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 Saint Joseph. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Saint Joseph:

  • Berrien County     (The home county of Saint Joseph)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Joseph, with the one closest to Saint Joseph listed first.
    • Fair Plain
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fair Plain have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fair Plain
      • Fair Plain is located in Berrien County
    • Benton Harbor
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Shoreham
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shoreham have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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
    • Glenlord
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenlord
      • Glenlord is located in Berrien County
      • Glenlord has also been known as:
      • Glen Lord
    • Benton Heights
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Benton Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Benton Heights
      • Benton Heights is located in Berrien County
    • Scottdale
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scottdale
      • Scottdale is located in Berrien County
    • Mizpah Park
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mizpah Park
      • Mizpah Park is located in Berrien County
    • Stevensville
      (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Sodus
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sodus have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sodus
      • Sodus is located in Berrien County
    • Riverside
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Riverside have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverside
      • Riverside is located in Berrien County
    • Hinchman
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hinchman
      • Hinchman is located in Berrien County
    • Shanghai Corners
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shanghai Corners
      • Shanghai Corners is located in Berrien County
  • Allegan County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Joseph, with the one closest to Saint Joseph listed first.
    • South Haven Highlands
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Miami Park
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Miami Park
      • Miami Park is located in Allegan County
      • Miami Park has also been known as:
      • Miami Park Beach
      • Miomi Park Beach
    • Mount Pleasant
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Pleasant
      • Mount Pleasant is located in Allegan County
    • Cedar Bluff
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Bluff
      • Cedar Bluff is located in Allegan County
    • Hawkhead
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hawkhead
      • Hawkhead is located in Allegan County
    • Glenn Haven Shores
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenn Haven Shores
      • Glenn Haven Shores is located in Allegan County
      • Glenn Haven Shores has also been known as:
      • Hollywood
    • Glenn Shores
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenn Shores
      • Glenn Shores is located in Allegan County
      • Glenn Shores has also been known as:
      • Glenn Stores
    • Leisure
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leisure
      • Leisure is located in Allegan County
      • Leisure has also been known as:
      • East Casco
  • Cass County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Joseph, with the one closest to Saint Joseph listed first.
    • Sumnerville
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sumnerville
      • Sumnerville is located in Cass County
    • Dowagiac
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
    • Pokagon
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pokagon
      • Pokagon is located in Cass County
    • La Grange
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Grange
      • La Grange is located in Cass County
    • Cassopolis
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cassopolis have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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 <2>
    • Edwardsburg
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edwardsburg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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 <2>
    • Penn
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Penn
      • Penn is located in Cass County
  • Van Buren County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Joseph, with the one closest to Saint Joseph listed first.
    • Fish Corners
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fish Corners
      • Fish Corners is located in Van Buren County
    • Covert
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
    • Hartford
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
    • Lawrence
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
    • Bangor
      (24 miles [38.6 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 <2>
    • South Haven
      (24 miles [38.6 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.<1> 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 <2>
    • Breedsville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Kibbie
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kibbie
      • Kibbie is located in Van Buren County
    • Lacota
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lacota
      • Lacota is located in Van Buren County
    • Bloomingdale
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Glendale
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glendale
      • Glendale is located in Van Buren County
  • LaPorte County (IN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Joseph, with the one closest to Saint Joseph listed first.
    • Hesston
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hesston
      • Hesston is located in LaPorte County (IN)
    • Smith
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Smith
      • Smith is located in LaPorte County (IN)
    • Michiana Shores
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Michiana Shores have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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 <2>
    • Rolling Prairie
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Long Beach
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Long Beach have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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 <2>
  • Saint Joseph County (IN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Joseph, with the one closest to Saint Joseph listed first.
    • New Carlisle
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for New Carlisle have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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 <2>
    • Zeigler
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zeigler
      • Zeigler is located in Saint Joseph County (IN)
    • Georgetown
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Georgetown have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Georgetown
      • Georgetown is located in Saint Joseph County (IN)
    • Roseland
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Roseland have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Indian Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Saint Joseph ...

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 99 newspapers that have been published in the area around Saint Joseph.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Saint Joseph. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Saint Joseph and those printed in the larger area surrounding Saint Joseph.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 28 miles [45.1 km]<3> of Saint Joseph.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to 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 Saint Joseph:

Cemeteries Near Saint Joseph ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Saint Joseph.

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

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

  • Lakeview Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lakeview Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lakeview Cemetery
  • Resurrection Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Resurrection Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Resurrection Cemetery
  • Brown School Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
  • Riverview Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Riverview Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Riverview Cemetery
  • Morton Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Morton Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Morton Cemetery
  • B'nai Sholom Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
  • Crystal Springs Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
  • Stevensville Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Stevensville Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Stevensville Cemetery
  • Jerome Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Jerome Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Jerome Cemetery
  • Scottdale Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Scottdale Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Scottdale Cemetery
  • Brant Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Brant Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Brant Cemetery
  • Bethel Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bethel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bethel Cemetery
  • Continue List   (168 more) ...
    • Royalton Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Royalton Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Royalton Cemetery
    • Pearl Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pearl Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pearl Cemetery
    • Lake Shore Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lake Shore Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lake Shore 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 Saint Joseph had a population of 3,733 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Saint Joseph had a population of 8,290 people.

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

  • Vineland
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Vineland have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vineland
    • Vineland is located in Berrien County
  • Benton Harbor
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
  • Glenlord
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenlord
    • Glenlord is located in Berrien County
    • Glenlord has also been known as:
    • Glen Lord
  • Stevensville
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
  • Derby
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Derby have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Derby
    • Derby is located in Berrien County
  • Hollywood
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hollywood have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hollywood
    • Hollywood is located in Berrien County
  • Sodus
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sodus have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sodus
    • Sodus is located in Berrien County
  • Twelve Corners
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Twelve Corners have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Twelve Corners
    • Twelve Corners is located in Berrien County
  • Millburg
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Millburg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millburg
    • Millburg is located in Berrien County
  • Hinchman
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hinchman
    • Hinchman is located in Berrien County
  • Spinks Corners
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spinks Corners have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spinks Corners
    • Spinks Corners is located in Berrien County
  • Riverside
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Riverside have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverside
    • Riverside is located in Berrien County
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • Livingston
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Livingston have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Livingston
      • Livingston is located in Berrien County
    • Hartman
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hartman have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartman
      • Hartman is located in Berrien County
    • Bridgman
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)

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

The official website for Saint Joseph: www.sjcity.com/

The official website for State of Michigan: https://www.michigan.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 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Saint Joseph) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Saint Joseph. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 42.0917, Longitude: -86.4850    
<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 Saint Joseph, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024