RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Missouri >> Putnam County >> Galesburg >> Genealogy HelperIndex...

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 Galesburg (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 Galesburg. 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 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.

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

  • Putnam County     (The home county of Galesburg)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Galesburg, with the one closest to Galesburg listed first.
    • Powersville
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Powersville is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Powersville
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 54 people
    • Lucerne
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Lucerne is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lucerne
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 80 people
    • Saint John
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
      • Saint John is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint John
    • Unionville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
    • Mendota
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Mendota is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mendota
    • Pearl City
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Pearl City is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pearl City
  • Grundy County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Galesburg, with the one closest to Galesburg listed first.
    • Spickard
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Galt
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
    • Dunlap
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Dunlap is located in Grundy County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dunlap
    • Tindall
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Tindall is located in Grundy County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tindall
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 74 people
  • Harrison County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Galesburg, with the one closest to Galesburg listed first.
    • Cainsville
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Cainsville is located in Harrison County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cainsville
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 272 people
    • Akron
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Akron is located in Harrison County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Akron
    • Mount Moriah
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Mount Moriah is located in Harrison County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Moriah
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 80 people
  • Mercer County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Galesburg, with the one closest to Galesburg listed first.
    • Ravanna
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Ravanna is located in Mercer County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ravanna
    • Mercer
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
    • South Lineville
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
      • South Lineville is located in Mercer County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Lineville
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 27 people
    • Princeton
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Burrows
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Burrows is located in Mercer County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burrows
    • Modena
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Modena is located in Mercer County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Modena
  • Sullivan County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Galesburg, with the one closest to Galesburg listed first.
    • Newtown
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Harris
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
    • Pollock
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Pollock is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pollock
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 79 people
    • Boynton
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Boynton is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boynton
    • Osgood
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
      • Osgood is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Osgood
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 42 people
    • Pennville
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Pennville is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pennville
    • Milan
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • 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>
    • Green City
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Green City is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green City
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 582 people
    • Humphreys
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
      • Humphreys is located in Sullivan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Humphreys
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 107 people
    • Greencastle
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
  • Appanoose County (IA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Galesburg, with the one closest to Galesburg listed first.
    • Jerome
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Jerome is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jerome
    • Numa
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Numa is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Numa
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 89 people
    • Cincinnati
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
      • Cincinnati is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cincinnati
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 345 people
    • Plano
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Plano is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plano
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 67 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Plano <1>
    • Brazil
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Brazil is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brazil
    • Sunshine
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Sunshine is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunshine
    • Exline
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Exline is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Exline
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 154 people
    • Mystic
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Mystic is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mystic
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 410 people
    • Centerville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Walnut City
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Walnut City is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut City
    • Clarkdale
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Clarkdale is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clarkdale
    • Rathbun
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Rathbun is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rathbun
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 72 people
    • Darbyville
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Darbyville is located in Appanoose County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Darbyville
  • Decatur County (IA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Galesburg, with the one closest to Galesburg listed first.
    • Morgan
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
      • Morgan is located in Decatur County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morgan
    • Woodland
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Woodland is located in Decatur County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodland
    • Pleasanton
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Pleasanton is located in Decatur County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasanton
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 44 people
    • Garden Grove
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Garden Grove is located in Decatur County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garden Grove
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 200 people
    • Leon
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Leon is located in Decatur County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leon
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,808 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Leon <1>
    • Davis City
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Davis City is located in Decatur County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Davis City
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 187 people
    • Le Roy
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Le Roy is located in Decatur County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Le Roy
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 14 people
  • Lucas County (IA)
    • Derby
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Derby is located in Lucas County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Derby
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 111 people
  • Wayne County (IA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Galesburg, with the one closest to Galesburg listed first.
    • Clio
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Clio is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clio
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 73 people
    • Genoa
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Genoa is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Genoa
    • Hodge
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Hodge is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hodge
    • Lineville
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Lineville is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lineville
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 217 people
    • Allerton
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
    • Seymour
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Corydon
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
      • 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>
    • Promise City
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Promise City is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Promise City
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 110 people
    • Millerton
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Millerton is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millerton
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 42 people
    • Confidence
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Confidence is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Confidence
    • Humeston
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)

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

Cemeteries Near Galesburg ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Galesburg.

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 Galesburg - one of the links might be able to help.

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

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

  • Wyreka Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
  • Powersville Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
  • Busby Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
  • Old Busby Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
  • Medicineville Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
  • Medicineville Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
  • Edmond Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
  • Anderson Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
  • Sprigg Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
  • Greer Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
  • Torrey Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
  • Banta Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
  • Continue List   (321 more) ...
    • Howard Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Thomas Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Wilder Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)

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.<2>

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

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

  • Powersville
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Powersville is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Powersville
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 54 people
  • Lucerne
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Lucerne is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lucerne
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 80 people
  • Cleopatra
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Cleopatra is located in Mercer County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cleopatra
  • Saint John
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • Saint John is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint John
  • Ilia ‑ Historic
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
    • Ilia is located in Mercer County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ilia
  • Ravanna
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Ravanna is located in Mercer County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ravanna
  • Newtown
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
  • West Liberty ‑ Historic
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • West Liberty is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Liberty
  • Sewal
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
    • Sewal is located in Wayne County (IA)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sewal
  • Quinn
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Quinn is located in Putnam County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quinn
  • Clio
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Clio is located in Wayne County (IA)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clio
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 73 people
  • Genoa
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Genoa is located in Wayne County (IA)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Genoa
  • Continue List   (17 more) ...
    • Mercer
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
    • Hodge
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Hodge is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hodge
    • Harvard
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
      • Harvard is located in Wayne County (IA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harvard

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

Newspapers Published in Galesburg ...

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 120 newspapers that have been published in the area around Galesburg.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Galesburg, there are papers which were published within 28 miles [45.1 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Galesburg.

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 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 Galesburg:

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