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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 White Star (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 White Star. 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.

White Star is located in Gladwin 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 Gladwin County: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Isabella, Midland, Ogemaw & Roscommon.

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

  • Gladwin County     (The home county of White Star)
  • Arenac County
    • The following are listed by their distance from White Star, with the one closest to White Star listed first.
    • Sterling
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sterling have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sterling
      • Sterling is located in Arenac County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 498 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sterling <1>
    • Standish
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Standish have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Standish
      • Standish is located in Arenac County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,388 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Standish <1>
    • Melita
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Melita. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Melita
      • Melita is located in Arenac County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Melita
      • From White Star to Melita
    • Saganing
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
    • Pine River
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
    • Whites Beach
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
    • Maple Ridge
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Arenac
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Arenac. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arenac
      • Arenac is located in Arenac County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Arenac
      • From White Star to Arenac
    • Omer
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Omer have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Omer
      • Omer is located in Arenac County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 288 people
    • Twining
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Twining have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Twining
      • Twining is located in Arenac County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 168 people
    • Turner
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Turner have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Turner
      • Turner is located in Arenac County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 102 people
  • Bay County
  • Clare County
  • Isabella County
    • The following are listed by their distance from White Star, with the one closest to White Star listed first.
    • Loomis
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Vernon City
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Vernon City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vernon City
      • Vernon City is located in Isabella County
    • Rosebush
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Jordan
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Jordan. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jordan
      • Jordan is located in Isabella County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Jordan
      • From White Star to Jordan
    • Alembic
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
  • Midland County
    • The following are listed by their distance from White Star, with the one closest to White Star listed first.
    • Edenville
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edenville have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edenville
      • Edenville is located in Midland County
    • Hope
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hope have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hope
      • Hope is located in Midland County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hope <1>
    • Coleman
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
    • North Bradley
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
    • Alamando
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Alamando. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alamando
      • Alamando is located in Midland County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Alamando
      • From White Star to Alamando
    • Averill
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Averill. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Averill
      • Averill is located in Midland County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Averill
      • From White Star to Averill
    • Sanford
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Midland
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
    • Oil City
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Oil City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oil City
      • Oil City is located in Midland County
  • Ogemaw County
    • The following are listed by their distance from White Star, with the one closest to White Star listed first.
    • Greenwood
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Greenwood. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenwood
      • Greenwood is located in Ogemaw County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Greenwood
      • From White Star to Greenwood
    • West Branch
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
    • Skidway Lake
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Skidway Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Skidway Lake
      • Skidway Lake is located in Ogemaw County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Skidway Lake <1>
    • Ogemaw Springs
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
    • Campbells Corners
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Prescott
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
  • Roscommon County
    • The following are listed by their distance from White Star, with the one closest to White Star listed first.
    • Saint Helen
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
    • Prudenville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Prudenville have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prudenville
      • Prudenville is located in Roscommon County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Prudenville <1>
    • Houghton Lake
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Houghton Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Houghton Lake
      • Houghton Lake is located in Roscommon County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Houghton Lake <1>

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

Cemeteries Near White Star ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of White Star.

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

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

  • Second Lutheran Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Second Lutheran Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Second Lutheran Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Arbutus Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Arbutus Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Arbutus Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • McClure Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
  • Ridge Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ridge Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ridge Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Sacred Heart Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Sacred Heart Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Sacred Heart Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #749875 <4>
  • Gladwin Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Gladwin Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Gladwin Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Highland Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Highland Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Highland Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Billings Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Billings Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Billings Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Grout Township Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
  • Beaverton City Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Beaverton City Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Beaverton City Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Dale Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Dale Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Dale Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • New Rhodes Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the New Rhodes Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the New Rhodes Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (118 more) ...

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.<6>

While we didn't find White Star in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of White Star.

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

  • McClure
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McClure have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McClure
    • McClure is located in Gladwin County
  • Gladwin
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
  • Beaverton
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
  • Rhodes
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
  • Edenville
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edenville have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edenville
    • Edenville is located in Midland County
  • Butman
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Butman. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Butman
    • Butman is located in Gladwin County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Butman
    • From White Star to Butman
  • Hope
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hope have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hope
    • Hope is located in Midland County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hope <1>
  • Mount Forest
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
  • Alger
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Alger have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alger
    • Alger is located in Arenac County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Alger <1>
  • Meredith
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
  • Nine Mile
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
  • Sterling
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sterling have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sterling
    • Sterling is located in Arenac County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 498 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sterling <1>
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...

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

Newspapers Published in White Star ...

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 60 newspapers that have been published in the area around White Star.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of White Star, there are papers which were published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<5>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for White Star.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we begin with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These 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 White Star:

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for White Star. 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>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<3>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.
<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>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- White Star) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in White Star. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 43.9804, Longitude: -84.3648    
<6>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 White Star, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025