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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 Esper (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 Esper. 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.

Esper is located in Putnam County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Putnam County: Appanoose (IA), Wayne (IA), Adair, Mercer, Schuyler & Sullivan.

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

  • Putnam County     (The home county of Esper)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Esper, with the one closest to Esper listed first.
    • Mendota
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Mendota is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mendota
    • Pearl City
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Pearl City is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pearl City
    • Livonia
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
      • Livonia is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Livonia
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 71 people
    • Unionville
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Worthington
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Worthington is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Worthington
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 76 people
    • Saint John
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
      • Saint John is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint John
    • Lucerne
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Lucerne is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lucerne
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 80 people
    • Powersville
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Powersville is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Powersville
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 54 people
  • Adair County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Esper, with the one closest to Esper listed first.
    • Danforth ‑ Historic
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Danforth is located in Adair County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Danforth
    • Novinger
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Novinger is located in Adair County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Novinger
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 431 people
    • Tipperary ‑ Historic
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Tipperary is located in Adair County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tipperary
    • Kirksville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
  • Schuyler County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Esper, with the one closest to Esper listed first.
    • Coatsville
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Coatsville is located in Schuyler County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coatsville
    • Julesburg
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
      • Julesburg is located in Schuyler County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Julesburg
    • Glenwood
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
      • Glenwood is located in Schuyler County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenwood
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 201 people
    • Lancaster
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
    • Queen City
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Queen City is located in Schuyler County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Queen City
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 607 people
    • Greentop
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Clifton
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Clifton is located in Schuyler County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clifton
    • Downing
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Downing is located in Schuyler County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Downing
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 341 people
  • Scotland County
    • Kilwinning
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Kilwinning is located in Scotland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kilwinning
  • Sullivan County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Esper, with the one closest to Esper listed first.
    • Pennville
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Pennville is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pennville
    • Pollock
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Pollock is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pollock
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 79 people
    • Greencastle
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Green City
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
      • Green City is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green City
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 582 people
    • Boynton
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Boynton is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boynton
    • Sticklerville
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Sticklerville is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sticklerville
    • Milan
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Milan is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Milan
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,764 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Milan <1>
    • Owasco
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
      • Owasco is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Owasco
    • Newtown
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Harris
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
  • Appanoose County (IA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Esper, with the one closest to Esper listed first.
    • Exline
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
      • Exline is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Exline
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 154 people
    • Coal City
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Coal City is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coal City
    • Cincinnati
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Cincinnati is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cincinnati
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 345 people
    • Numa
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Numa is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Numa
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 89 people
    • Centerville
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
    • Moulton
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Moulton is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moulton
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 580 people
    • Sunshine
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Sunshine is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunshine
    • Brazil
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
      • Brazil is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brazil
    • Orleans
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Orleans is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orleans
    • Jerome
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jerome is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jerome
    • Clarkdale
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Clarkdale is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clarkdale
    • Mystic
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Mystic is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mystic
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 410 people
  • Davis County (IA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Esper, with the one closest to Esper listed first.
    • Mark
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Mark is located in Davis County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mark
    • West Grove
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • West Grove is located in Davis County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Grove
    • Savannah
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
      • Savannah is located in Davis County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Savannah
    • Paris
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Paris is located in Davis County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paris
    • Drakesville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Stiles
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Stiles is located in Davis County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stiles
    • Bloomfield
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Steuben
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Steuben is located in Davis County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Steuben
  • Monroe County (IA)
    • Selection
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Selection is located in Monroe County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Selection
  • Wayne County (IA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Esper, with the one closest to Esper listed first.
    • Genoa
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
      • Genoa is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Genoa
    • Seymour
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Promise City
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Promise City is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Promise City
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 110 people
    • Confidence
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Confidence is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Confidence
    • Allerton
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Corydon
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Corydon is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Corydon
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,593 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Corydon <1>
    • Hodge
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Hodge is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hodge

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

Cemeteries Near Esper ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Esper.

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.

Although we don't have the information ourselves, if you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our list of websites on our Genealogy Helper Page for Esper - one of the links might be able to help.

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Esper covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

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

  • Shipley Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
  • Friendship Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
  • Thompson Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Summers Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Shoney Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
  • Mendota Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
  • McCune Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Berry Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • Mitchell Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • Johnson Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
  • Bozwell Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
  • Union Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
  • Continue List   (339 more) ...
    • Anders Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Bunker Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Speak Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)

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.<3>

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

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

  • Omaha
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Omaha is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Omaha
  • Mendota
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Mendota is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mendota
  • Hartford
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Hartford is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartford
  • Chariton
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Chariton is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chariton
  • Glendale
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Glendale is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glendale
  • Howland
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Howland is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Howland
  • Graysville
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Graysville is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Graysville
  • Elko
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Elko is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elko
  • Unionville
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
  • Livonia
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Livonia is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Livonia
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 71 people
  • Cincinnati
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Cincinnati is located in Appanoose County (IA)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cincinnati
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 345 people
  • Sedan
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Sedan is located in Appanoose County (IA)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sedan
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Exline
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
      • Exline is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Exline
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 154 people
    • Martinstown
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Martinstown is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Martinstown
    • Dean
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Dean is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dean

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

Newspapers Published in Esper ...

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 158 newspapers that have been published in the area around Esper.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Esper, there are papers which were published within 29 miles [46.7 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Esper.

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 Esper:

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 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.
<3>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 Esper, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>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 drawn from Point A (ie- Esper) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.